Payroll Analyst

We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for a large and complex U.S. workforce. This Long-term Contract position is ideal for someone who brings strong payroll processing experience, analytical judgment, and the ability to work across teams to maintain accurate and timely pay administration. The role focuses on reviewing payroll data, resolving discrepancies, partnering with internal stakeholders and external providers, and helping maintain compliant, efficient payroll practices.

Responsibilities:

• Manage daily payroll activities across a high-volume U.S. payroll environment with multiple pay groups and varied pay cycles, including weekly, biweekly, and semimonthly processing.

• Examine payroll transactions for accuracy and confirm adherence to internal policies as well as applicable payroll regulations and standards.

• Collaborate with external payroll providers to keep procedural documentation current, complete, and properly authorized.

• Coordinate payroll testing activities, evaluate results, and investigate issues to support system updates, enhancements, and other payroll-related initiatives.

• Audit employee pay data such as compensation changes, incentive payments, deductions, and special calculations to reduce errors and address root causes of discrepancies.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to research complicated pay matters, resolve exceptions, and recommend preventive actions that improve payroll accuracy.

• Prepare recurring payroll metrics and reporting, including weekly payroll count summaries and other operational data insights.

• Contribute to payroll projects such as audits, business integrations, governance alignment efforts, and continuous process improvement activities.

• Monitor payroll calendars and processing schedules to help ensure critical deadlines and submission timelines are consistently met.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of payroll experience, preferably within a large corporate organization or an outsourced payroll environment.
• Hands-on experience processing full-cycle payroll for large employee populations, including multi-state payroll administration.
• Working knowledge of enterprise payroll platforms such as Workday Payroll, ADP Workforce Now, GlobalView, or similar systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to investigate issues, interpret payroll data, and implement effective resolutions.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the use of formulas and functions such as VLOOKUP, along with comfort managing high-volume employee data.
• Solid understanding of payroll laws, tax withholding, voluntary deductions, and standard payroll processing practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to customer service and process improvement.

Compensation

$28.00-$33.00 Hourly

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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