Payroll Associate

Overview

This role involves supporting payroll processing and related activities to ensure accurate and timely employee compensation. It is suited for an early-career payroll professional interested in developing payroll operations expertise, compliance skills, and contributing to a reliable payroll function.

Responsibilities

• Assist with routine payroll processing tasks, including payroll inputs and report reviews.
• Validate payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and timelines.
• Review payroll reports to identify variances, discrepancies, or missing information for follow-up.
• Support payroll reconciliations and maintain organized documentation for audits.
• Coordinate with Human Resources on new hires, terminations, compensation changes, employee record updates, and approvals.
• Process approved bonus, commission, overtime, or other variable pay items as assigned.
• Support payroll tax account management, including maintaining tax records, tracking registrations, reviewing agency notices, and coordinating with vendors or tax authorities.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee payroll inquiries.
• Track, research, and resolve employee payroll questions related to pay, deductions, taxes, direct deposit, time reporting, and system access; escalate complex issues as needed.
• Collaborate with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve payroll-related questions.
• Support quarterly, year-end, and compliance-related payroll activities, including data review and documentation.
• Maintain payroll procedures, checklists, and documentation to ensure consistency and audit readiness.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance payroll accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience.
• Perform other payroll-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 1-3 years of professional experience in payroll, finance, accounting, HR operations, or related administrative roles.
• High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, comfortable working with spreadsheets and data review.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with recurring deadlines.
• Ability to follow structured processes and escalate issues appropriately.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Willingness to learn payroll systems, processes, compliance requirements, and audit documentation practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with payroll or HCM systems such as Workday, ADP, UKG, or Ceridian is a plus but not required.
• Customer-service mindset with a professional and responsive approach to employee inquiries.
• Analytical curiosity and willingness to investigate payroll discrepancies.
• Interest in payroll compliance, process improvement, and payroll technology.

Compensation & Benefits

• Target hourly range: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour (equivalent to $45,760 - $49,920 annually).
• Enterprise benefits including medical, dental, vision, and paid time off.
• Salary ranges and pay plans may be modified as deemed necessary.

Location

Not specified.