Payroll Specialist (Workday)

Northeast Austin, TX | Hybrid | Direct Hire | $70,000–$85,000

Join a growing national organization investing in the future of its payroll operations. Enjoy a $70,000–$85,000 salary, a hybrid schedule with three days onsite, and the stability of a permanent, direct-hire position . Play an important role in an upcoming ADP Workforce Now to Workday Payroll transition , gaining valuable experience in payroll technology, reporting, and process improvements while working with a large, multi-state employee population.

The Payroll Specialist will combine hands-on payroll processing with systems analysis, data validation, and reporting to maintain accurate payroll operations during an exciting period of organizational growth. This position offers the opportunity to work extensively with ADP Workforce Now and Workday Payroll , investigate complex payroll discrepancies, and contribute to a major system implementation. Partnering with Payroll, HR, and Finance, the Payroll Specialist will help improve payroll accuracy, strengthen reporting capabilities, and support a successful technology transition.

Responsibilities

• Process and reconcile multi-state payroll across multiple business entities and pay schedules.
• Manage payroll activities within ADP Workforce Now, including employee adjustments, deductions, garnishments, and off-cycle payments.
• Develop and customize payroll reports to support audits, financial reconciliations, and operational analysis.
• Participate in the transition from ADP Workforce Now to Workday Payroll, including testing, data validation, and process documentation.
• Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies involving employee earnings, taxes, benefits, and timekeeping.
• Reconcile payroll transactions with HRIS records, financial data, and general ledger accounts.
• Support payroll system improvements, reporting enhancements, and workflow automation.
• Review payroll calculations and transactions for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Coordinate with HR, Finance, and Benefits to resolve payroll issues and maintain accurate employee records.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting, year-end processing, and audit preparation.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, data accuracy, and reporting processes.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience required , including independently managing multi-state payroll.
• Direct experience with both ADP Workforce Now and Workday Payroll required.
• Experience creating customized payroll reports within ADP Workforce Now.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, formulas, and data analysis.
• Experience conducting payroll audits, financial reconciliations, and discrepancy investigations.
• Knowledge of payroll tax regulations, employee deductions, wage and hour requirements, and multi-state payroll compliance.
• Experience processing payroll across multiple entities and pay frequencies preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll for 1,000+ employees preferred.
• Experience with payroll implementations, system migrations, user acceptance testing, or data validation preferred.
• Union payroll or collective bargaining agreement experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting payroll operations during organizational growth or acquisitions preferred.

Work Arrangement

• Hybrid schedule: Three days onsite per week in Northeast Austin, TX.
• Additional onsite attendance may be required during the first 60–90 days for onboarding and training.
• Candidates throughout Texas who are willing to relocate to Austin will be considered.
• Candidates must be available for the required onsite schedule upon starting employment.