Payroll Analyst

The Payroll Operations Analyst supports payroll operations by leveraging data analysis, reporting, and auditing to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. This role is responsible for developing dashboards and custom reports, identifying and resolving discrepancies, and supporting key functions such as garnishments, tax compliance, and benefits funding.

The Payroll Operations Analyst partners with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors to improve processes, support system implementations, and enhance overall payroll performance. While primarily focused on analytics and process improvement, this position also provides operational payroll support to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.

Essential Functions:

• Create and maintain detailed payroll and HR dashboards to provide actionable insights and support decision-making

• Develop complex, custom payroll and HR reports to meet business and leadership needs

• Run and analyze audit reports to identify discrepancies, ensure data integrity, and resolve issues proactively

• Process employee garnishments within HCM, including accurate data entry, validation of court orders, and timely setup to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations

• Audit and monitor garnishment entries to confirm proper calculation, prioritization, and withholding limits in accordance with applicable laws

• Partner with HCM to ensure garnishments are processed correctly and within required timelines; proactively follow up on discrepancies or system issues

• Complete and submit salary verification requests related to garnishments, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality of employee information

• Serve as primary point of contact for employees, creditors, and agencies regarding garnishment inquiries, payments, and issue resolution

• Research and resolve garnishment discrepancies by collaborating with internal stakeholders, HCM support, and external agencies

• Maintain organized and compliant records of all garnishment documentation, correspondence, and activity

• Support end-to-end payroll processing, including review and validation, to ensure accuracy and timeliness

• Support the transition from ADP Workforce Now to Dayforce by assisting with data validation, system testing, and payroll parallel runs

• Review and reconcile employee data, earnings, deductions, and tax configurations between systems to ensure accuracy and completeness during migration

• Assist in identifying and resolving data discrepancies by partnering with HR, Payroll, IT, and implementation teams

• Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT), documenting results and escalating issues related to payroll processing, timekeeping, and employee data

• Help monitor integration points (e.g., benefits, timekeeping, general ledger) to ensure accurate data flow into Dayforce

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to troubleshoot system and integration issues during and after implementation

• Support the development of process documentation and provide input on workflow improvements within Dayforce

• Assist with post-implementation validation, audits, and ongoing system optimization to ensure payroll accuracy and compliancePartner with HR and leadership to improve payroll processes and reporting capabilities

• Research and resolve tax notices through verbal and written correspondence

• Maintain accurate employee tax profiles and process updates related to address changes, job transfers, and other employee status changes

• Handle tax audit requests from agencies

• Participate in special projects and initiatives as assigned

• Respond to payroll-related inquiries and provide guidance to employees and managers

• Serve as backup for weekly payroll processing

• Cross Train in other payroll areas to serve as back up as needed

Competency:

• Experience supporting payroll operations in a multi-state or multi-entity environment preferred

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail

• Advanced reporting experience (ADP Workforce Now and/or Dayforce)

• Proficiency with ADP and/or Dayforce payroll system

• Ability to respond to inquiries from employees, Leadership, and other stakeholders with accuracy and timeliness

• Experience building dashboards and working with data visualization tools

• Knowledge of payroll laws, taxes, and garnishment regulations

• Strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations and compliance across multi-state, local, federal, and unemployment jurisdictions

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Effective communicator across various technologies and media

• Strong collaboration skills with internal departments and third-party vendors

• Experience supporting HCM implementations or integrations

• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis)

• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on automation and efficiency

• High attention to detail and ability to work independently

• Trusted to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity

• Adaptable to changing environments and priorities

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, payroll, or related field and/or equivalent experience.

• Human Resources/Payroll: 3-5 years.

Language Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Computer Skills:

• Must have tangible knowledge of and be comfortable using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.