Senior Payroll Officer

Role Summary

The Senior Payroll Officer will be responsible for managing day-to-day US payroll operations and compliance activities across multiple entities. The role will ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, payroll tax compliance, garnishments, reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with ADP and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and validate end-to-end US payroll processing including payroll inputs, employee changes, deductions, adjustments, and payroll registers.
• Handle multi-state payroll compliance, including FICA, FUTA, SUI, state registrations, wage bases and payroll tax requirements.
• Manage garnishments and agency notices, including child support, tax levies, creditor orders and related correspondence.
• Review payroll tax reports, notices and discrepancies and coordinate resolution with ADP and relevant agencies.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, variance analysis and payroll-to-GL reviews and provide required reports to Finance/Accounting.
• Validate payroll data across
  
  ADP, Workday and timekeeping systems and ensure data accuracy.
• Coordinate with HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Accounting, Compliance and ADP to resolve payroll issues and employee queries.
• Support payroll audits, controls and compliance reviews, maintaining appropriate documentation and audit trails.
• Prepare and maintain payroll SOPs, process documentation and controls.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization and automation to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Support payroll-related projects, system changes, implementations and transitions.
• Independently manage assigned payroll activities and escalate complex issues, risks and compliance matters.
• Prepare and review payroll journal entries, accruals and payroll-related accounting adjustments.
• Perform payroll-to-GL and payroll liability reconciliations, investigating and resolving variances.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including payroll accruals, reporting and audit schedules.
• Reconcile payroll taxes, benefits, garnishments and other payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting to ensure accurate payroll postings and timely resolution of accounting discrepancies.

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5–8+ years of US payroll experience, preferably with multi-state payroll.
• Strong knowledge of US payroll tax and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with garnishments and payroll tax notices.
• Experience working with ADP and HRIS/payroll systems.
• Strong payroll reconciliation, reporting and analytical skills.
• Advanced attention to detail and ability to manage strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of payroll activities.

Key Success Measures

Payroll Accuracy | Timely Processing | Compliance | Issue Resolution | Controls | Process Improvement