US Payroll Associate

We are looking for a highly experienced Payroll Specialist who can independently manage complex, multi-state U.S. payroll engagements and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients. The ideal candidate should have strong technical payroll knowledge, exceptional attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle complex situations with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end U.S. payroll processing across weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cycles.
• Handle complex multi-state payroll, including federal, state, and local tax requirements.
• Review payroll calculations, reports, deductions, garnishments, and employee changes for accuracy.
• Manage employee onboarding, W-4/W-9/I-9 documentation, direct deposits, compensation changes, and payroll records.
• Process contractor payments and year-end activities, including W-2s, W-2c, W-3c, and 1099s.
• Manage payroll tax filings, e-filing/e-payment processes, and state/local tax compliance.
• Coordinate retirement, insurance, and other benefit-related payroll funding.
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations and proactively identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Review state-specific minimum wage and payroll compliance requirements.
• Communicate directly with clients, understand complex requirements, provide guidance, and resolve payroll-related issues professionally.
• Take ownership of assigned client accounts and ensure accurate, timely payroll delivery with minimal supervision.
• Handle more complex client engagements and demonstrate strong judgment, problem-solving, and error prevention.

Ideal Candidate:

• 5+ years of hands-on U.S. payroll experience, preferably supporting multiple clients.
• Strong experience with multi-state and complex payroll environments.
• Advanced understanding of U.S. payroll tax and compliance requirements.
• Experience with QuickBooks Online and other payroll platforms.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly with U.S. clients.
• Ability to independently manage complex assignments and make sound decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to review work critically, identify potential errors, and ensure accuracy before submission.
• Comfortable taking ownership of challenging client accounts and acting as a senior-level payroll resource.