Analyst Payroll FinOps

Job Description Summary

Payroll Operations Analyst owns end-to-end execution for an assigned payroll domain, ensuring 100% accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. The role acts as a domain SME, drives controls and quality trends, leads problem solving for systemic issues, and trains team members while partnering closely with HQ/onshore teams and external partners.

Primary Function

Own and lead end-to-end payroll operations for the assigned sub-team (Tax, Banking, Garnishment, Processing, or Final Pay), ensuring compliance and audit readiness. Drive continuous improvement, communication, and team capability building.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Process payroll and/or final pay checks accurately and ensure pay is delivered on time, following documented procedures and checklists.
• Work pay run audit reports; research and resolve errors/issues before checks are printed or files are transmitted; escalate exceptions as required.
• Monitor payroll mailboxes and ticket queues; respond to requests/forms within the 24-hour SLA; document actions clearly and professionally.
• Apply US payroll policies, internal controls, and compliance requirements (confidentiality, approvals, audit trail) during daily execution.
• Support ad-hoc activities and year-end deliverables as assigned; adapt to peak volumes and critical timelines.
• Maintain current understanding of payroll calendar updates and process changes; complete required trainings on time.

Additional responsibilities for this level:

• Own domain governance: policies/controls, audit readiness, documentation set (SOPs, checklists, training materials) and regular reviews.
• Lead root cause analysis for systemic issues; drive corrective and preventive actions with partners (HQ/onshore, Finance, HR, vendors).
• Analyze trends and performance metrics; present insights and risk updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Lead training plans for peak seasons; audit quality of new/contract resources and provide coaching feedback loops.
• Drive improvements to reduce overpayments and defects through reconciliations, tighter controls, and process redesign.

Tax

• Support employee tax setup changes and validations per workflow; ensure changes align to source documentation.
• Assist with tax-related inquiries and ticket triage; resolve routine items and route complex items to SMEs/partners.
• Support year-end activities such as W-2 validations, corrections workflows, and reprint requests per process.

Banking

• Support direct deposit maintenance and reject/return handling per workflow; ensure corrections are completed within required timelines.
• Assist with payroll funding/file checks and basic reconciliations per checklist; escalate discrepancies promptly.
• Log and track ACH rejects, reversals, and high-risk exceptions to closure.

Garnishment

• Set up and maintain garnishment/levy deductions based on received orders and established decision trees.
• Process routine agency communications and documentation within SLA; maintain required records.
• Support remittance processing and exception handling per controls; escalate complex scenarios.

Processing

• Execute standard payroll processing steps (data entry, validations, adjustments) according to the payroll calendar.
• Run and review assigned audits; correct basic errors and coordinate dependencies with upstream partners.
• Support off-cycle processing requests as directed; ensure documentation and approvals are complete.

Final Pay

• Process final pay checks including PTO/other payouts per state requirements and documented guidance; escalate exceptions promptly.
• Support manual check requests, reissues, and reversals; ensure approvals and audit trail are complete.
• Respond to final pay inquiries from HR/field teams using templates and policy references.

Reporting

Reports to: Manager, Payroll Operations.

Job Requirements

Minimum / Desired Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business/Human Resources (or equivalent experience).
• FPC/CPP/Payroll certification required.
• 5+ years of payroll experience with excellent knowledge of federal and state laws; end-to-end US payroll & taxation knowledge.
• Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills (trend analysis, reconciliation, root cause).
• Strong communication and stakeholder management; proven coaching and capability building.
• High integrity and confidentiality; flexibility to work extended hours and lead during critical timelines/BCP.
• Workday/MyTime knowledge is preferred.