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.

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; 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.

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.
• 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, 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 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.

What This Role Is Not a Match For

• Someone who relies on step-by-step documentation for every scenario; this role requires sound reasoning and verification in novel, non-standard payroll situations.
• Someone who escalates open-ended questions without researched background, sources, and a recommended solution.
• Someone looking for a high-volume, multi-layered department with extensive backup; this is a lean structure requiring end-to-end ownership and proactive capacity risk management.
• Someone uncomfortable with direct cross-functional collaboration or presenting substantiated technical/business logic to Finance, HRIS, and vendor partners.

How You 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 to prevent downstream errors or audit gaps.
• Timely completion, testing accuracy, and successful adoption of assigned Workday system projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Effective risk management, proactive capacity flagging, and high-quality escalation packages (research + 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 and mental health services through 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: access to training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance.

Location

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

Application Period

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity and Background Check

• Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.
• Employment offers are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check (prior conviction does not automatically rescind an offer; assessment is made case-by-case and in accordance with applicable law).

AI Use During the Hiring Process

• AI tools may be used for assessment or take-home exercises if the 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.

Accommodations

• If you require assistive technology as a disability accommodation, notify the organization in advance so accommodations can be considered.
• The organization provides accommodation so qualified disabled applicants may participate in the selection process.

E-Verify

• The employer is an E-Verify participant in certain locations as required by law.