Senior Payroll Analyst

Essential Job Functions

• Lead weekly and bi-weekly payroll cycles for field and home office employees, including pre-payroll audits, exception resolution, and final validation
• Own complex payroll components such as commissions, reserves, draws, advances, per diem, garnishments, and other variable pay elements
• Serve as the primary escalation point for payroll issues, ensuring accurate and timely resolution
• Apply accounting judgment to ensure payroll, tax, and liability amounts are accurately posted to the general ledger
• Prepare and support payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and variance analysis in partnership with Accounting
• Determine appropriate accounting treatment for non-routine payroll items and recommend corrections when needed
• Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, and local wage and hour and payroll tax requirements
• Lead resolution strategies for tax escalations, coordinating with Human Resources (HRIS owner) and Accounting
• Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and regulatory reporting
• Lead payroll support for 401(k) and retirement plan audits, including schedules and reconciliations
• Collaborate with Human Resources on employee lifecycle changes to ensure accurate payroll outcomes
• Collaborate with Accounting during payroll close and audit activities
• Provide guidance and knowledge-sharing on payroll processes, tax considerations, and compliance best practices
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll controls, documentation, and processes
• Stay current on payroll laws and regulatory changes that may impact the organization

Experience/Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience in a complex, multi-state environment
• Demonstrated experience with commissions, reserves, and variable compensation structures
• Strong working knowledge of payroll laws, wage and hour compliance, and payroll tax requirements
• Experience applying payroll data to the general ledger and supporting payroll accounting activities
• Experience interacting with state and local tax agencies and supporting audit processes
• Advanced proficiency with payroll systems required; Paycom experience strongly preferred and D365 (or equivalent ERP) experience a significant plus
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment