Payroll Lead

Job Title: Payroll Lead

Department: Accounting

Reports To: Accounting Manager

Position Summary

The Payroll Lead is responsible for overseeing and executing payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in payroll processing. This role involves managing payroll processes, maintaining records, addressing payroll inquiries, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. The Payroll Lead will work collaboratively with HR, Finance, and external partners to ensure seamless payroll administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and oversee the end-to-end payroll cycle, including salary calculations, deductions, bonuses, and reimbursements.
• Review and audit payroll data before and after payroll is confirmed to ensure accuracy, detect anomalies, identify potential mistakes and partner with HR to rectify errors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and company policies.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, including employee earnings, deductions, and tax information.
• Address and resolve payroll-related inquiries and discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Manage payroll tax reporting, including W-2 processing, and ensure timely submission of payroll-related filings.
• Work with HR to track employee changes, such as new hires, terminations, promotions, and salary adjustments.
• Coordinate with Finance to support audits, reporting, and budgeting inquiries related to payroll expenses.
• Stay up to date with payroll regulations and industry best practices to improve payroll processes.
• Ensure proper execution of payroll software and systems, identifying and implementing enhancements when necessary.
• Produce ad hoc reports as requested from various areas of the organization.
  
  

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of payroll processing experience, with leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Lyric) and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Understanding of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration across departments.
• Must exercise diplomacy, discretion and confidentiality at all times.