Senior Manager, Payroll Operations, Accounting

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Lead and take responsibility for the complete payroll operations cycle for employees across multiple states.

• Prepare, calculate, review, process, reconcile, and finalize post-payroll activities.

• Manage the operational relationship with the external payroll provider.

• Oversee the configuration of payroll systems, tax setups, integrations, testing, upgrades, and changes due to regulations or organizational needs.

• Review earnings, deductions, taxes, benefit contributions, retirement contributions, garnishments, leave adjustments, and various payroll transactions.

• Process new hires, terminations, changes in compensation, retroactive adjustments, supplemental payments, bonuses, unpaid leave, overpayments, and other atypical transactions.

• Handle payroll corrections and off-cycle payments.

• Create and maintain payroll calendars, procedures, checklists, controls, and documentation.

• Act as the subject matter expert for payroll-related expenses and benefits accounting.

• Reconcile wages, payroll taxes, deductions, benefit costs, retirement contributions, invoices, tax reports, and vendor records.

• Supervise federal, state, and local payroll tax administration, including filings, deposits, notices, discrepancies, registrations, and year-end processes.

• Oversee benefit deductions, employer contributions, retirement plan activities, funding, corrections, and reconciliations.

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, vendors, and retirement plan providers to resolve discrepancies.

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and employee issues.

• Clearly communicate payroll, tax, deduction, and benefit matters to employees and stakeholders.

• Take employee impact into account when designing payroll procedures, workflows, communications, and system changes.

• Support the organization’s mission by fulfilling other assigned responsibilities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible payroll experience, with significant hands-on involvement in full-cycle payroll operations.

• Experience in leading or managing payroll operations for a multi-state employee population.

• Strong expertise in payroll accounting, including knowledge of payroll-related expenses and benefits (PEBT) and the accounting treatment of employee and employer payroll and benefit transactions.

• Experience managing payroll provided through a third-party payroll provider.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax administration.

• Experience reconciling payroll deductions and employer contributions with benefit carrier enrollment, retirement plan records, and invoicing.

• Familiarity with payroll system configuration, including earnings, deductions, taxes, employer contributions, benefits, and general ledger mappings.

• Experience developing and maintaining payroll internal controls, reconciliations, and auditing documentation.

• Technical expertise to assess payroll outcomes, address discrepancies, and ensure resolution of issues.

• Understanding of the interdependencies among payroll, HRIS, benefits, retirement, timekeeping, tax, and financial systems.

• Strong analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to independently analyze data.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• High level of discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential payroll, compensation, tax, and employee information.

• Reliable transportation.

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

• Ability to communicate and exchange information accurately.

• Proficiency in operating standard office equipment and computer software.

• Capability to travel independently by car and plane, both locally and nationally.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Employee assistance program.

• Life insurance.

• Long-term disability insurance.

• Retirement plan.

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays.

• Paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance.

• Opportunities for professional development.

• Remote/home-office work arrangement.

• Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, training, or organizational events.