Payroll Analyst

Overview

This Payroll Analyst role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing and reporting in a multi-state, multi-company environment. The position researches and resolves complex payroll and timekeeping issues, supports payroll/timekeeping systems, and helps ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations and company policies. The analyst also serves as a payroll subject matter expert, providing guidance and training to team members.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing (regular, off-cycle, and annual) in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and tax standards, bargaining agreements, and company policies.
• Calculate and process complex, high-visibility transactions, including:
  • FLSA calculations and compliance
  • Incentive taxation
  • Retroactive adjustments
  • Payroll reconciliations
  • Mass volume data loads
  • Unique bargaining payouts
• Research and analyze complex payroll issues such as reconciliations, overpayments, taxation, and adjustments.
• Provide technical payroll processing, calculation, and consulting expertise on business and technology issues affecting when and how employees are paid.
• Communicate research and analysis results to senior leaders, associates, and external agencies and vendors.
• Build reports and analyze complex data sets to provide insights that support business decisions and payroll operational efficiency, including:
  • Auditing data
  • Identifying and resolving issues with downstream payroll impact
• Participate in periodic internal auditing of key responsibilities.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve issues, building strong working relationships with employees and third-party providers.
• Serve as the designated single point of contact (SPOC) for assigned functions.
• Support system implementations, identify areas for process improvements, and provide testing support.
• Lead and manage payroll-related projects independently end to end.
• Drive and support process improvement initiatives and lead documentation efforts.
• Act as a payroll SME and recommend improvements to enhance and streamline procedures.
• Create and communicate SOPs, validating policies and procedures against federal and state laws.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, employee data, and timekeeping data.
  • Review daily error reports to identify necessary employee record corrections.
  • Communicate changes to business owners of upstream and downstream systems, including proper tax and location assignment in payroll/timekeeping systems.
  • Review timekeeping audit reports to identify erroneous time entries.
• Apply knowledge of ERISA, ACA, IRS, DOL FLSA Compensation, and fringe benefit programs to ensure adherence and compliance.
• Comply with all policies and standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 1–3 years of payroll experience in a multi-state, high volume environment.

Preferred

• Prior wage and hour experience.
• Intermediate Excel skills.
• Prior experience with ADP, UKG, Workday, and/or Oracle Fusion.
• CPP or FPC certification.

Skills & Abilities

• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot tables, VLOOKUPs).
• In-depth understanding of payroll laws, tax regulations, and accounting principles.
• Proficiency in payroll software and systems, including experience with advanced features.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in payroll calculations.
• Effective communication skills to liaise across departments and handle employee inquiries.
• Strong problem-solving skills to analyze complex payroll issues and develop solutions.
• Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

Compensation & Benefits

Benefit amounts are estimates only. Actual values will depend on benefit elections during enrollment.

Location

• Remote
• Must be able to work Eastern Standard Time core business hours.

Reporting

• Payroll Operations Manager