Payroll Analyst

We are looking for a Payroll Analyst to support accurate and timely payroll operations in Providence, Rhode Island. This position plays a key role in reviewing payroll activity, resolving discrepancies, and partnering with internal teams to ensure employees are paid correctly across multiple pay cycles. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, hands-on payroll systems experience, and the ability to manage sensitive information with a high level of professionalism. Additionally, the ideal payroll analyst has experience with multi-state payroll in a union environment.

Responsibilities:

• Examine payroll submissions, time records, adjustment requests, and special compensation documentation to confirm completeness, accuracy, and proper approval before processing.

• Prepare and review payroll audit reports before and after each run, investigate irregularities, and coordinate corrections to prevent processing errors.

• Validate payroll entries from manual input and external system interfaces, resolve rejected or unbalanced transactions, and submit corrected data in a timely manner.

• Partner with managers, supervisors, and timekeeping staff to address pay corrections, retroactive changes, time entry concerns, and payroll outcome questions.

• Provide day-to-day support for workforce management and time-and-attendance processes, including calculations, reporting, troubleshooting, and result interpretation.

• Manage payroll inquiries from initial intake through resolution using designated tracking tools, escalating complex matters involving compliance, taxation, union interpretation, or system defects when needed.

• Process exception payments and check-related transactions such as supplemental payments, reversals, stop payments, reissues, and prior-year tax form requests in accordance with policy.

• Support audit readiness by maintaining reconciliations, organizing payroll documentation, and assisting with internal and external review requests.

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Retirement, Payroll Tax, and Information Services teams on payroll issues, testing efforts, training support, and process improvements.

• Maintain payroll procedures, job aids, records, and employee-facing support resources while delivering responsive customer service and safeguarding confidential information.

Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience in payroll administration, payroll operations, accounting, or a closely related function.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered in place of formal education.
• Background in high-volume payroll processing across multiple entities, with union payroll experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to perform payroll audits, reconciliations, discrepancy research, and issue resolution for weekly, biweekly, and off-cycle payrolls.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office, including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis functions.
• Experience with payroll and workforce systems such as Workday Payroll and time-and-attendance platforms is preferred.
• Certified Payroll Specialist or Fundamental Payroll Certification is preferred; certification may be required for senior-level positions or obtained within one year of employment.
• Ability to work independently, collaborate across departments, handle confidential information carefully, and communicate clearly with a wide range of stakeholders.

Compensation

$75,000.00-$80,000.00 Yearly

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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