Payroll Analyst

We are looking for a Payroll Analyst to support payroll, timekeeping, and leave administration activities for a long-term contract position based in Chicago, Illinois. This role focuses on ensuring accurate pay-related data, maintaining compliance controls, and producing clear reporting across payroll and absence processes. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical ability, careful attention to detail, and the communication skills needed to work effectively with employees, leaders, vendors, and internal partners.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the collection, review, and submission of time, absence, and payment-related data to help ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.

• Examine payroll tax wages and related liabilities on a quarterly and annual basis, reconciling findings and identifying issues that require follow-up.

• Oversee leave of absence administration by tracking claim status, communicating with stakeholders, and confirming that records remain current across systems.

• Prepare reporting and analytics from payroll, timekeeping, and leave platforms to support operational decisions, compliance needs, and audit readiness.

• Review control documentation for each pay cycle and help maintain support for internal compliance requirements and financial reporting accuracy.

• Validate leave-related information between external vendors and HRIS records, including retroactive payments, return-to-work documentation, and job protection timelines.

• Import and confirm payment requests, review off-cycle payroll activity, and verify garnishment and third-party payment data for accuracy.

• Partner with payroll and technical teams on system updates, testing, troubleshooting, and post-implementation review when payroll-related changes are introduced.

• Monitor payroll and leave integrations, resolve processing errors or warnings, and help ensure data flows correctly between inbound and outbound systems.

• Support specialized payroll activities such as equity-related record updates, reduction-in-force tracking, and separation or severance documentation management.

Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

• Experience reviewing payroll data, audits, compliance reporting, or payment processing activities in a detail-oriented environment.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate large data sets, identify discrepancies, and present clear findings.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills for working with employees, leadership, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adjust to changing needs.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team setting.

• High attention to accuracy when handling confidential payroll, tax, and leave-related information.

The salary range for this position is $35.00 to $40.00. Benefits available to contract/temporary professionals, include medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit Robert Half Benefits Website for more information.

Compensation

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.

Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.

Our specialized recruiting professionals apply their expertise and utilize our proprietary AI to find you great job matches faster.

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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