Senior Payroll Administrator
What We Offer
The credit union prides itself on providing employees rewarding career opportunities, competitive benefits, and a unique work culture. Ascend’s commitment to its employees is fostered by its commitment to the member-owners, ensuring dedicated and engaged employees to serve the membership.
What You Will Do
Everyday: Lead the administration of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across the organization. Own and process regular and off-cycle payroll runs, ensuring accuracy, tax compliance, and timeliness. Maintain payroll calendars, internal control procedures, and regulatory compliance across multi-state jurisdictions. Ensure proper calculation and processing of earnings, deductions, bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay, and garnishments. Serve as the primary point of contact for employee pay inquiries, offering responsive and service-minded support. Maintain employee confidence and protect payroll operations by keeping information confidential. Ensure compliance with all payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
System Setup, Integrations & Upgrades: Ensure configuration, maintenance, and optimization of the payroll platform at all times in partnership with People and Experience team members. Manage system upgrades, new feature implementations, and integrations with timekeeping and general ledger systems. Ensure accurate data flow between systems and coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT) for payroll-related changes. Complete employment and wage verifications. Comply with federal, state and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management of needed actions. Support payroll system updates, testing, and process improvement initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with People and Experience colleagues on team initiatives. Partner with Benefits and Leave to ensure accurate deductions for benefits, 401(k), and leaves of absence. Collaborate with Finance/Accounting on payroll reconciliations, funding schedules, journal entries, and tax filings. Participate in internal and external audits, providing payroll documentation and controls evidence as needed.
Cross-Functional Collaboration with Compensation & Analytics: Coordinate with Compensation during annual merit and incentive cycles, including retroactive or off-cycle adjustments. Validate and process approved pay changes in accordance with compensation structures and internal policies. Support compensation reporting and reconciliation efforts to ensure data accuracy and alignment. Assist with total rewards reporting, pay equity reviews, and ongoing compensation-related audits.
What You Will Need To Succeed
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, or related field required
CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC certification preferred
5-8 years of experience processing payroll including multi-state environment required
Familiarity with HRIS and payroll platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday) required
Working knowledge of labor laws, payroll processing and compliance, tax regulations (FLSA, EEO, ADA, FMLA), and wage & hour laws
Knowledge of Payroll best practices, standard concepts, policies, and procedures
Demonstrated experience with payroll system setup, upgrades, and integrations
Understanding of how payroll contributes to overall total rewards strategy
Delivers high-quality, accurate payroll services consistently
Experience with basic pay practices for multiple states
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel a must
Strong organizational and analytical skills
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to work independently
Exceptional attention to detail
Maintain high standards of integrity
Display excellence in member service; resolves employee pay concerns with empathy and accountability
Maintains full discretion with sensitive data and ensures legal adherence
High accuracy, discretion, and ability to work under tight deadlines
Works effectively with Compensation, Benefits, Finance, and People teams
Regular and reliable attendance is required