Senior Payroll & Reporting Specialist

Overview

• Workstyle: Remote
• Reports to: Senior Manager, Payroll

This is a remote position. 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.

• Travel Expectations: Minimal travel; may include occasional trips for key meetings, collaboration opportunities, or area-connected events based on business needs.

• Physical Requirements/Demands: Primarily sedentary, home-based role requiring the ability to remain stationary 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.

• Application Period: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Responsibilities

• Execute bi-weekly multi-state, multi-entity payroll runs end-to-end—including on-cycle, off-cycle, severance, bonuses, and commission payouts—within established controls.
• 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 verifications 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 and workflow configurations, including Workday testing and release validation; provide substantiated rationale for technical updates.
• Research and resolve complex payroll tickets independently; escalate 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.

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, 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, including 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.

Compensation & Benefits

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

Perks and benefits include:

• Generous Paid Time Off and major paid holidays
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (PPO or HDHP) at low cost
• Virtual medical consultations (MDLIVE) and mental health services through some preferred partners
• Family-friendly benefits, including:
  • Up to 14 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents (6 weeks STD + 8 weeks parental leave)
  • 8 weeks of fully paid parental leave for non-birthing parents
  • Adoption assistance, pet insurance, caregiver leave, and fertility benefits
• Financial wellness:
  • 401(k) plan with company matching
  • Employer HSA contributions for eligible plans
  • Life & AD&D insurance
  • Flexible spending account options
• Professional development: access to training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance

Additional Information

• This role requires applying sound reasoning and verification to novel, non-standard payroll situations.
• When escalating complex issues, you are expected to bring researched background, sources, and a recommended solution.
• Due to the lean payroll structure, this role requires end-to-end ownership and proactive capacity risk management.
• Cross-functional collaboration and presenting substantiated technical/business logic to Finance, HRIS, and vendor partners are required.

Equal Opportunity and Background Check

• Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Prior conviction does not automatically rescind an offer; decisions are made case-by-case in accordance with applicable law.

AI Tools Policy (Recruiting Process)

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