Senior Payroll Specialist​/Accountant

Senior Payroll Specialist/Accountant

Our fully remote client is looking for their next Senior Payroll Specialist/Accountant who will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll, maintaining employee payroll records in Workday, supporting payroll accounting activities, and providing exceptional service to employees across all levels of the organization. This position serves as the primary in-house payroll expert and works closely with Human Resources, Corporate Accounting, Operations, and executive leadership to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and continuous process improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end payroll process using Workday.
• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and timely.
• Maintain payroll records including:
  • New hires
  • Employee changes
  • Promotions
  • Salary adjustments
  • Tax withholding elections
  • Direct deposit changes
  • Garnishments
  • Terminations
• Review payroll data for completeness and accuracy prior to each payroll cycle.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee questions.
• Troubleshoot Workday payroll issues and work directly with employees to resolve payroll-related concerns.
• Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee information.

Equity Compensation Payroll

• Process payroll related to equity compensation including:
  • Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
  • Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)
  • Other stock compensation transactions
• Coordinate payroll tax withholding related to equity awards.
• Work closely with Corporate Accounting regarding stock compensation activity.

New Hire Administration

• Manage all payroll-related onboarding documentation.
• Collect, review, and maintain:
  • Employment forms
  • Tax withholding forms
  • Direct deposit authorizations
  • Employment agreements
  • Required certifications
• Ensure all paperwork is completed accurately and entered into Workday in a timely manner.

Payroll Accounting (Approximately 50%)

• Payroll journal entries
• Payroll account reconciliations
• Accrued payroll calculations
• Vacation/PTO accruals
• Bonus accruals
• Payroll reporting
• Audit support
• SOX documentation, as applicable

Assist with payroll-related requests during monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.

Accounting Support

• Serve as a backup for:
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
• Assist with:
  • General ledger reconciliations
  • Journal entries
  • Financial analysis
  • Special projects
  • Other accounting duties as assigned

Employee Support

• Provide excellent customer service to employees throughout the organization by:
  • Answering payroll questions
  • Explaining payroll deductions and taxes
  • Assisting with PTO balances and leave questions
  • Supporting employees with Workday self-service
• Must be equally comfortable communicating with:
  • Manufacturing and plant employees
  • Corporate office employees
  • Senior leadership
  • Executive management

Qualifications Required

• 5+ years of payroll experience
• Experience processing multi-state payroll
• Extensive Workday Payroll experience
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong payroll tax knowledge
• Experience processing equity compensation payroll (RSUs and ISOs)
• Experience with PTO administration and leave accruals
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting
• Experience preparing payroll journal entries and reconciliations
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Preferred

• Net Suite experience
• Public company experience
• Manufacturing industry experience