Senior Payroll & Reporting Specialist

Overview

• Workstyle: Remote (home-based)
• Reports to: Senior Manager, Payroll
• Rolling application period: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Eligibility / Location Requirements

This is a remote position; however, to be eligible for hire, candidates must reside in a state where the organization is registered to do business as an employer. Eligible states currently include:

AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV.

Responsibilities

• Execute bi-weekly multi-state, multi-entity payroll runs end-to-end within established controls, including on-cycle, off-cycle, severance, bonuses, and commission payouts.
• Audit and reconcile payroll-impacting changes (new hires, terminations, compensation updates, garnishments) against source systems to ensure data integrity.
• Perform independent reasonableness checks and source-data verification for final wage and leave payout calculations prior to payment release.
• Build, run, and analyze recurring pay registers, deduction audits, tax withholding checks, and retro/adjustment reports using Workday and advanced Excel.
• Lead assigned payroll system/process projects, including workflow configuration and Workday testing, providing substantiated rationale for technical updates.
• Research and resolve complex payroll tickets independently, escalating unresolved risks to the Senior Manager with documented context and recommended solutions.
• Triage agency tax notices, resolving routine matters independently and supporting quarterly tax account reviews under Senior Manager direction.
• Maintain, document, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), audit evidence, and verification logs for non-routine payroll transactions.

Travel Expectations

• Minimal travel, determined by business needs; may include occasional trips for key meetings, collaboration opportunities, or area-connected events.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Primarily sedentary, home-based role requiring the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Regular use of standard office equipment (computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone).
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of progressive payroll experience processing complex, multi-state payrolls (multi-entity experience preferred).
• Proven experience independently running end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing, including off-cycle adjustments, severance, and commission calculations.
• Advanced Excel capabilities, including pivot tables, lookups, SUMIFS, large dataset handling, and reconciliation template building.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Workday Payroll and reporting tools, including hands-on experience with system testing and release validation.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with experience executing payroll balancing, variance analysis, and month-end reconciliations.
• Deep functional knowledge of payroll compliance, tax treatments, and agency notice triage.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment on non-routine payments by verifying source data before finalizing transactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification.
• Hands-on experience with payroll tax registrations and agency notice administration.

How You’ll Be Measured

• 100% timely and accurate execution of bi-weekly multi-state payroll runs and reconciliation deliverables.
• Rigor and quality of independent verification applied to non-routine calculations to prevent downstream errors or audit gaps.
• Timely completion, testing accuracy, and adoption of assigned Workday system projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Effective risk management, proactive capacity flagging, and high-quality escalation packages (research plus a proposed solution).

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Salaried, exempt pay range: $70,000–$93,000
• Placement within the range is determined by factors including knowledge, skills, years and depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off: Flexible paid time off policies and major paid holidays.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage at a low cost through a PPO or HDHP plan.
• Employee Wellness: Virtual medical consultations (MDLIVE) and mental health services through some preferred partners.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Up to 14 weeks fully paid parental leave for birthing parents (6 weeks STD + 8 weeks parental leave) and 8 weeks fully paid parental leave for non-birthing parents; adoption assistance; pet insurance; caregiver leave; fertility benefits.
• Financial Wellness: 401(k) plan with company matching; employer HSA contributions for eligible plans; Life & AD&D insurance; flexible spending account options; resources to help manage financial moments.
• Professional Development: Access to training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance.

Additional Information

• Criminal background check is required as part of the employment process; prior conviction does not automatically rescind an offer and is evaluated case-by-case in accordance with applicable law.
• Offers are contingent upon satisfactory completion of the criminal background check.

AI Use Policy (During Hiring Process)

• AI tools may be used for assessment or take-home exercises as long as submitted work represents the candidate’s own understanding and abilities.
• AI tools may not be used during live interviews to generate, draft, suggest, or influence responses; interview answers must be the candidate’s own original work.

Equal Opportunity & E-Verify

• Equal opportunity employer.
• Provides accommodation so qualified applicants with disabilities can participate in the selection process.
• E-Verify participation in certain locations as required by law.