Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

Reporting to the FP&A Manager, the Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for overseeing the timely and accurate processing of payroll for approximately 650 employees across 38 states. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, local laws and internal policies while maintaining a focus on accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement. In addition to payroll responsibilities, this position supports basic Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) tasks such as providing payroll data for forecasting, budgeting, and variance reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of weekly payroll processing to ensure timely and accurate pay distribution including collecting, reviewing, and validating time and attendance data; reconciling payroll discrepancies; processing off-cycle payments; and ensuring proper tax withholdings and deductions.
• Review and verify time and attendance data from departments to ensure compliance with payroll deadlines.
• Process payroll transactions, including but not limited to employee reimbursements, court-ordered garnishments, benefit deductions, paid time off, bonuses, and other special payments.
• Ensure each payroll transaction is accurately calculated, appropriately documented, and compliant with applicable laws and internal policies.
• Collaborate with HR and ensure payroll reflects current employee elections and changes and monitor for discrepancies making necessary corrections prior to finalizing each payroll cycle.
• Collaborate with payroll software provider on payroll processing and discrepancy issues.
• Maintain and reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts.
• Prepare and submit payroll-related reports to internal departments and external agencies.
• Lead the registration process for all required payroll-related accounts when expanding into new states, including state and local tax withholding, unemployment insurance, Paid Family Leave, and monopolistic workers' compensation.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll-related regulations.
• Partner with HR for smooth onboarding, employee status changes, and terminations.
• Ensure accurate remittance of payroll taxes and benefit contributions.
• Provide payroll-related customer service and support to employees and department leaders.
• Maintain detailed process documentation and recommend improvements to increase efficiency.
• Provide payroll data to support budgeting and forecasting efforts.
• Assist with monthly payroll cost analysis and explain variances as needed.
• Support annual budgeting by preparing salary projections and compensation summaries.
• Collaborate with co-workers across the Finance team to identify payroll-related trends or cost drivers.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Payroll certification (e.g., FPC or CPP) is a plus.

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state environment.
• Proficiency in Workday software and related HRIS systems.
• Familiarity with basic budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis tasks.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Ethics/Integrity
• Analytical/Detail-Oriented
• Critical Thinking
• Personal Accountability/Professionalism
• Trust/Respect
• Initiative
• Problem Solving

Location/ Work hours

Hybrid / Remote flexibility

8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, additional hours as needed

Benefits Package

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefit package, which includes:

• Competitive salary and annual incentive program
• Comprehensive health care and flexible benefit plan, including pet insurance
• Company-matched 401(k) plan
• Profit sharing plan
• On-site childcare with highly accredited curriculum (Palmyra, WI)
• Platinum WELCOA award-winning wellness program, including:
• On-site 24x7 fitness center (Palmyra, WI)
• Whole food court (Palmyra, WI)
• On-site chiropractic care
• On-site massage therapist
• Personal trainer
• Daily fitness classes
• On-site life coach
• Generous monthly Standard Process supplement allowance
• Paid vacation and holiday time
• Educational assistance
• Company hosted outings and events
• Strong community involvement