Payroll Analyst

Position Description

Title: Payroll Analyst

Department: Human Resources

Immediate Supervisor: Director, Payroll and Reporting

Status: Salaried Exempt

Position Purpose: The Payroll Analyst supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll for all employees by executing day‑to‑day payroll activities, maintaining employee data, and responding to payroll-related inquiries. This role ensures pay is processed in compliance with company policies, federal/state regulations, and established payroll procedures. The Payroll Analyst also provides consistent, high‑quality service to employees and partners closely with HR, Benefits, and the HRIS team on transactional updates and issue resolution.

Principle Accountabilities

Payroll Processing and Execution

• Prepare, process, and audit biweekly and/or weekly payrolls to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Enter, validate, and reconcile employee changes, including new hires, rate changes, job changes, and terminations.
• Complete pre‑payroll and post‑payroll audits to confirm data accuracy and identify discrepancies.
• Review and process deductions, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, shift premiums, and other pay components.
• Ensure proper taxation based on federal, state, provincial, and local requirements.
• Coordinate closely with HRIS to resolve data issues impacting payroll.

Employee & Manager Support

• Serve as the primary contact for payroll questions, providing accurate and timely responses.
• Troubleshoot employee pay issues and escalate complex matters as appropriate.
• Educate employees and managers on payroll timelines, self‑service tools, and common payroll processes.

Data Integrity & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date payroll records in the system of record.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, multi-state tax rules, and company policies.
• Assist with quarterly and year-end payroll processes, including W-2/T4 support, reconciliations, and audits.
• Support audits (internal, external, SOX) by preparing requested payroll documentation.

Reporting & Transactional Support

• Run standard and ad‑hoc payroll reports for Finance, HR, and other internal partners.
• Reconcile payroll results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and general ledger entries.
• Support data requests for reporting, analytics, and payroll metrics.
• Maintain payroll calendars, processing checklists, and procedural documentation.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state environment.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll laws and regulations (wage and hour, tax, garnishment requirements).
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (Dayforce ideal).
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to reconcile data across systems.
• Customer-service mindset with clear and professional communication skills.
• Experience in US, Canadian, and/or union payroll preferred.