Payroll Analyst

About the Role

The Payroll Analyst processes accurate and timely payroll for employees across multiple pay cycles while ensuring full compliance with wage and tax regulations. This role reviews and validates time records, earnings, deductions, and adjustments, and supports audits and reporting activities. The position offers the opportunity to work with a growing payroll team, gain exposure to senior stakeholders, and develop advanced Excel and payroll accounting skills in a primarily remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for employees in a timely and accurate manner.
• Review and validate employee time records, earnings, deductions, and adjustments prior to payroll submission.
• Process off-cycle payrolls, including bonus payments, commissions, and final paychecks.
• Maintain payroll schedules and ensure all payroll deadlines are consistently met.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local wage and tax laws.
• Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other involuntary deductions in accordance with legal requirements.
• Perform payroll audits to identify discrepancies, investigate issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll documentation, reports, and responses to auditor requests.
• Work within a manual payroll process, ensuring accuracy and strong controls despite limited automation.
• Collaborate with team members and senior stakeholders to improve payroll processes and reporting.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end payroll processing across multiple pay frequencies (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly).
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax principles and the ability to apply federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations.
• Hands-on experience with payroll accounting, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Ability to administer and process payroll deductions, including garnishments, tax levies, and child support orders.
• Proficiency in payroll reporting and the ability to prepare accurate, detailed payroll reports.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing time records, earnings, deductions, and adjustments.
• Experience working in a manual payroll environment with limited automation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.
• Ability to support and respond to internal and external audit requests related to payroll.

Qualifications

• Experience working as part of a growing payroll team and contributing to process improvements.
• Comfort collaborating with senior stakeholders and leadership on payroll-related matters.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying and resolving payroll discrepancies.
• Effective communication skills to explain payroll issues and collaborate with colleagues across locations.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll schedules and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

The payroll team operates across Texas and functions mostly in a remote capacity, with in-person attendance primarily required for training. Team leadership is based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, enabling collaboration and support for team members in different locations. Candidates MUST reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The role involves working within a manual payroll process, using tools such as Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables and VLOOKUPs) and payroll accounting systems. The environment emphasizes accuracy, compliance, and collaboration within a growing team, offering exposure to senior stakeholders and opportunities for professional development.

Pay & Benefits

Pay range: $27.00 – $30.00/hr.

Benefits (if eligible): Medical, dental & vision; Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital; 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available); Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents); Short and long-term disability; Health Spending Account (HSA); Transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dallas, TX. This is a hybrid position in Dallas, TX.