Senior Payroll & Reporting Specialist

Overview

• Workstyle: Remote (home-based)
• Reports to: Senior Manager, Payroll
• Application timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will continue until the position is filled. Apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Eligibility / Remote 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, 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; provide 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.

Key Metrics / How Performance Is 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.

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 such as a computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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 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.

What This Role Is Not For (Fit)

• Someone who relies on step-by-step documentation for every scenario; this role requires applying sound reasoning and verification to novel, non-standard payroll situations.
• An operational processor who escalates without analysis; when escalating complex issues, you are expected to bring researched background, sources, and a recommended solution.
• Someone seeking a high-volume, multi-layered department with extensive backup; with a lean structure, end-to-end ownership and proactive capacity management are required.
• Someone uncomfortable with direct cross-functional collaboration or presenting substantiated technical/business logic to Finance, HRIS, and vendor partners.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range

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

Benefits

• Paid time off: Flexible paid time off policies and major paid holidays.
• Health coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage at a low cost through a PPO or HDHP plan for you and your family.
• Employee wellness: Virtual medical consultations through MDLIVE and mental health services through some preferred partners.
• Family-friendly benefits:
  • 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: Training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance.

Equal Opportunity / Additional Information

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a discrimination-free workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, nationality or ethnic background, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other attributes protected by state, federal, and local law.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (prior conviction does not automatically rescind an offer; determinations are made case-by-case in accordance with applicable law).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use During Hiring

• 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. All interview answers must be your own original work.

Location Notes

• Headquarters: Fairfax, Virginia
• Offices: Dallas, Texas; Prague, Czech Republic
• Remote work is home-based within the eligible states listed above.