Payroll Management Analyst

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

We're hiring an Payroll Management Analyst to join a collaborative team that helps ensure employees across the organization are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with payroll laws and regulations. Payroll is a critical service that supports every employee, and this role plays an important part in maintaining the financial accuracy, accounting integrity, systems, processes, and reporting that keep payroll operations running smoothly.

In this role, you'll work on a variety of responsibilities, including payroll tax compliance, financial reconciliations, general ledger balancing, journal entries, regulatory reporting, payroll systems administration, and process improvement initiatives. You'll have the opportunity to analyze financial and payroll data, investigate discrepancies, reconcile accounts, prepare and review accounting entries, solve complex issues, support system enhancements, and contribute to projects that improve the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of payroll and financial operations.

Working closely with partners across Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and other departments, you'll help address operational and financial challenges, implement improvements, support accurate financial reporting, and ensure compliance with evolving business and regulatory requirements. This position is well suited for someone who enjoys combining accounting knowledge, analytical problem-solving, attention to detail, customer service, and continuous improvement while making a meaningful impact on employees and organizational operations.

• Perform payroll tax administration and compliance activities, including federal, state, and local payroll tax processing, account maintenance, tax payments, reconciliations, corrections, reporting, and resolution of agency notices, audits, and inquiries.
• Coordinate and support year-end payroll reporting requirements, including W-2 reconciliation and reporting, quarterly tax filings, Multiple Worksite Reports, SAIF reporting, workers' compensation reporting support, and other regulatory reporting obligations.
• Oversee payroll tax accuracy and compliance by auditing employee tax setup, monitoring taxable wages, reviewing payroll transactions, validating jurisdictional tax calculations, and ensuring compliance with changing payroll laws and regulations.
• Perform and oversee accounting activities related to payroll operations, including reconciling payroll accounts, reviewing financial transactions, researching discrepancies, and ensuring accurate recording of payroll-related expenses, liabilities, deductions, and payments.
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries related to payroll processing, payroll adjustments, benefit deductions, tax liabilities, accruals, and other payroll-related accounting transactions. Ensure entries are properly supported, accurately coded, and recorded in the appropriate accounting periods.
• Perform general ledger reconciliations and balancing activities, including reconciling payroll subledger activity to general ledger accounts, reviewing chart fields and account combinations, investigating variances, and ensuring financial records are complete and accurate.
• Monitor and reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts, including payroll clearing accounts, accrued payroll liabilities, tax payable accounts, benefit deductions, and other related accounts. Identify outstanding items, research reconciling differences, and coordinate timely resolution.
• Support monthly,…