Payroll Specialist

Job Description:

• Process multiple US pay groups across biweekly and semimonthly cycles, including payroll previews, audits, approvals, and funding
• Validate hires, terminations, compensation changes, retroactive pay, bonuses, commissions, and other one-time earnings
• Review payroll results, investigate discrepancies, and resolve or escalate exceptions before submission
• Calculate and process off-cycle and manual payments, including final pay
• Audit timekeeping data and resolve missing punches, unapproved time, and exception pay
• Administer garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other court-ordered deductions
• Maintain and audit PTO and leave accruals and coordinate leave payroll treatment
• Support multi-state payroll tax compliance, agency notices, registrations, rate updates, and account maintenance
• Support quarter-end and year-end activities, including W-2 preparation, reconciliation, review, and W-2c corrections
• Support internal and external audits, including 401(k), workers’ compensation, and financial audits
• Maintain procedures, audit trails, internal controls, approval steps, and segregation of duties
• Partner with Finance on payroll funding, general ledger mapping, journal entries, and account reconciliation
• Reconcile benefit deductions and carrier invoices; process corrections and manage arrears
• Partner with People to maintain employee data integrity and accurate employee changes
• Support 401(k) contribution and loan processing, funding, and census reporting
• Communicate payroll cutoffs, missing inputs, and unresolved exceptions
• Serve as a point of contact for employee payroll questions and explain findings and correction timelines
• Produce standard and ad hoc payroll reports for Finance, People, and leadership
• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, acquisitions, and implementation projects
• Identify recurring errors and manual work, recommend improvements, and support automation
• Keep payroll procedures and checklists current
• Report to the Senior Payroll Manager

Requirements:

• At least five years of hands-on US payroll processing experience, including multi-state payroll
• Experience processing multiple pay groups and pay frequencies, including biweekly and semimonthly cycles
• Working knowledge of federal and multi-state wage and hour, payroll tax, and pay practice requirements
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and meet firm payroll deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies, reconcile records, and document resolutions
• Proven discretion when handling confidential compensation and employee information
• Clear written and verbal communication with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment, take ownership of recurring responsibilities, and escalate risks promptly
• Experience with Rippling (preferred)
• Experience supporting state and local payroll tax registrations and account setup (preferred)
• Healthcare or other multi-site workforce experience with a substantial hourly employee population (preferred)
• Experience supporting payroll through organizational growth, acquisitions, or system implementations (preferred)

Benefits:

• Competitive pay & equity*
• Fully remote
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental & vision
• Paid time off
• 401k plan + matching
• Paid parental leave
• Home office stipend