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.