Payroll Specialist, Global Finance

Overview

This role supports the organization’s payroll operations by leading the end-to-end payroll process to deliver accurate, timely payments in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

The position is hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays) if located in the Washington, DC area or remote for non-local candidates. It reports to the Director, US Finance & Accounting, and requires current authorization to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, now or in the future.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Develop and execute the payroll operating strategy and oversee payroll and payroll tax processing.
• Establish priorities, coordinate responsibilities and deadlines across contributing teams, and lead improvements that strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and continuity of payroll operations.
• Partner with HR on expatriate taxation and hypothetical tax calculations.
• Develop and apply payroll policies and Workday processes for US and global employees in coordination with HR teams.
• Serve as lead trainer and provide employee support regarding payroll calculations, deductions, and time-card submission.

Policies and Procedures

• Update payroll policies and related financial statement practices for new GAAP and regulatory requirements.
• Assess and execute payroll improvements by evaluating process risks, operational needs, and opportunities to improve payroll processing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to improve Workday, ADP, and other payroll-system processes, functionality, workflow, data management, and automation.
• Lead testing of new and updated Workday functionality and support system upgrades.

Communication

• Serve as a point of contact for employees and resolve payroll questions with clear, timely, service-oriented communication.
• Coordinate with HR, Accounting, external auditors, and third-party vendors on payroll information, approvals, and deadlines.

Training and Development

• Train new staff members to prepare and submit timesheets and other payroll-related forms.
• Mentor staff and provide practical guidance on payroll processes and requirements.

Documentation, Reporting & Data Management

• Perform monthly payroll ledger analysis and account reconciliations, resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Develop custom reports from the ERP system and support users in retrieving payroll data.
• Maintain payroll software, systems, policies, and procedures and recommend updates.
• Ensure all financial, tax, and payroll year-end reporting requirements and deadlines are met, including but not limited to W-2 and Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end management reports covering gross payroll, hours worked, vacation accrual, taxes, benefits, garnishments, and deductions.
• Evaluate payroll accuracy, turnaround times, workflow efficiency, data quality, and employee service to identify recurring issues; prioritize and implement process improvements with teams responsible for payroll inputs, systems, and approvals.

General Accounting & Statutory Compliance

• Participate in monthly and year-end close activities including account analysis, reconciliations, and journal entries (including payroll liabilities reconciliation and quarterly PTO accrual entry).
• Review and approve employee and payroll reports for timely and accurate payment settlements.
• Resolve questions and secure approvals for employee data changes.
• Support the Global Assurance team and external auditors with payroll information and documentation.
• Prepare the annual Form 990 payroll reporting schedules.
• Coordinate with third-party vendors to complete the annual 403(b) Form 5500 filing.

General Tasks

• Participation in the organization’s community of spiritual formation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least five years of payroll-processing experience, preferably in a lead role.
• At least five years of multi-jurisdiction payroll-tax experience, preferably in a lead role.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation highly desirable.
• At least three years of Workday payroll-processing experience, including strong knowledge of configuration and functionality (highly desirable). Experience processing payroll in an ERP.
• Extensive multistate payroll-processing experience, preferably using Workday.
• Demonstrated knowledge of payroll principles, practices, regulations, procedures, and payroll-tax laws.
• Ability to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience with Workday accounting modules preferred.
• Payroll experience in grants accounting and nonprofit organizations is beneficial.
• Professional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in payroll systems, reporting tools, Workday payroll, and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting, payroll taxation, and statutory reporting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPP designation.
• Workday accounting module experience.
• Grants accounting and nonprofit payroll experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits
• Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area
• Retirement benefit options
• Paid leave starting at 23 days
• 12 holidays (plus early release the day prior)
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources

Additional Requirements / Notes

• Strict safeguarding principles and zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics.
• Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria, and assessment of value congruence, subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.
• Background check, police clearance, and thorough review of references are required with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

Application Process

Upload Resume, Cover Letter & Statement of Faith in one PDF document.

• The statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement, and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

Faith Requirement

This role requires all employees to practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.