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.

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 verify source data 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 and process projects, including workflow configuration, Workday testing, and release validation, with 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.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of progressive payroll experience processing complex, multi-state payrolls (multi-entity experience preferred).
• Proven ability to independently run end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing, including off-cycle adjustments, severance, and commission calculations.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, SUMIFS, large dataset handling, and reconciliation template building.
• Hands-on proficiency with Workday Payroll and reporting tools, including experience with system testing and release validation.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with a track record of 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, 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.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• 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 stationary for extended periods while working at a computer. Regular use of standard office equipment (computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone) is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay range

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

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off with major paid holidays.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision (PPO or HDHP) at a low cost.
• Employee Wellness: Virtual medical consultations through MDLIVE 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: Training programs, certifications, and tuition assistance.

Additional Information

• This role requires applying sound reasoning and verification to novel, non-standard payroll situations.
• Lean structure requires end-to-end ownership and proactive capacity risk management.
• Direct cross-functional collaboration and presenting substantiated technical/business logic to Finance, HRIS, and vendor partners are expected.

Equal Opportunity & 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.
• Offers of employment are contingent on 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 Use in the Hiring Process

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

E-Verify

• The organization participates in E-Verify in certain locations as required by law.