Senior Payroll & Reporting Specialist

Overview

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

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.

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

• Physical Requirements/Demands: 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 for individuals with disabilities.

• Application Period Disclosure: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled.

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, workflow configurations, and Workday testing, providing 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.

Key Metrics / How Performance Will 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, preventing 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 + proposed solution) provided to leadership.

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 (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 a track record of executing payroll balancing, variance analysis, and month-end reconciliations.
• Deep functional knowledge of payroll compliance, tax treatments, and agency notice triage.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment on non-routine payments, 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 and depth of experience, and equity with internal team members.

Benefits include:

• Generous Paid Time Off and major paid holidays
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage at a low cost through a PPO or HDHP plan
• Virtual medical consultations and mental health services through 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) and 8 weeks of fully paid parental leave for non-birthing parents; adoption assistance; pet insurance; caregiver leave; and fertility benefits
• Financial wellness benefits: 401(k) with company matching; employer HSA contributions for eligible plans; Life & AD&D insurance; flexible spending account options
• Professional development support, including access to training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance

Equal Opportunity / Employment Details

• Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (determinations are made case-by-case in accordance with applicable law).
• The organization is an E-Verify participant in certain locations as required by law.

AI Use Policy (During the 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.
• Assistive technology or disability accommodations may be available to support participation in the selection process.

Location

• Remote (candidate must reside in an eligible state listed above).