Payroll Analyst (2026-0731)

About the role

The Payroll Analyst is responsible for detailed analysis, reporting, auditing, and system support activities related to payroll. Utilizing a deep understanding of the payroll system including upstream and downstream integration points, this role partners closely with Payroll team members, Human Resources, Finance, and Operations to ensure data integrity, support contract compliance, optimize the organization's payroll processes, and contribute to ongoing system improvements and documentation.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm, or as needed to meet departmental deadlines.

Pay

Salary range: $67,361 – $97,674/annual (DOE).

Requirements

• Minimum of 4 years of payroll and data analysis experience within a mid-to-large employer environment, including reporting and auditing responsibilities.
• Experience implementing and administering union contracts as it relates to payroll.
• Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field required; additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred.
• Experience working in a healthcare or hospital setting preferred.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, Power BI, lookups, data validation, SQL) — must be able to generate reports utilized by analysts and leadership.
• Experience with Kronos (UKG), Infor, or Lawson, preferably in cloud-based payroll.

Responsibilities

• Review, understand, and document payroll processes for operational records and to train the Payroll team on the various steps in a pay cycle.
• Test documented payroll processes as they relate to upcoming software updates to confirm the accuracy of the system’s calculations and operations.
• Analyze Kronos timekeeping data (including pay type, premium pay, supplemental hours, leaves, etc.) and compare to contractual obligations to determine accuracy and report on cost variance with a corrective course of action.
• Analyze and validate system configuration changes and upgrades to ensure accurate payroll outcomes and opportunities to optimize current processes.
• Test and validate system configuration changes based on leadership or departmental requests; ascertain that configurations are correctly replicated in production systems.
• Analyze the organization’s compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations; research non-Washington state rules as required.
• Responsible for internal and external audits by completing information requests, preparing analysis, reports, and documentation.
• Support the review and redesign of processes or policies to enhance the accuracy of the organization’s payroll cycle.
• Provide leadership with payroll analytics to support decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations for processes involving payroll, timekeeping, etc.
• Support automation initiatives to streamline reconciling and auditing payroll data.
• Advise Payroll Specialists on complex transactions or timekeeping issues as needed.
• Ensure data integrity across HR, payroll, and timekeeping systems.
• Perform additional duties as needed to ensure accurate, efficient, and timely payroll processing.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret large data sets and identify variances or trends using Excel or other tools such as SQL.
• Previous experience in payroll processing, documentation, and controls.
• Able to interpret and understand contracts, whether union-related or associated with deferred contribution plans.
• High attention to detail and accuracy under strict deadlines and operating independently when needed.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leaders, managers, clinicians, and non-financial staff.