Senior specialist

Job Title: Senior Specialist

Location:

Chennai, IN

Senior Specialist- US Payroll

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Specialist – US Payroll with 10–20 years of payroll experience, including significant expertise in US payroll processing, taxation, compliance, year-end activities, and payroll systems. The role will be responsible for end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, statutory compliance, issue resolution, stakeholder management, and continuous process improvement.

The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, payroll accounting concepts, and payroll systems such as SAP, Workday, ADP

Your Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Execute end-to-end US payroll processing for weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payroll cycles.
• Review payroll inputs including hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, bonuses, stock transactions, and benefit deductions.
• Validate payroll calculations to ensure accuracy of earnings, taxes, deductions, and net pay.
• Perform payroll audits and reconciliations before payroll release.
  
  

• Ensure compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local payroll regulations.
• Monitor payroll tax updates and legislative changes impacting payroll operations.
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• Lead W-2 processing, validation, reconciliation, and employee support activities.
• Manage year-end balancing activities for wages, taxes, deductions, and benefits.
  
  

• Perform payroll variance analysis and identify anomalies.
• Ensure SOX compliance and adherence to internal controls.
• Support internal and external payroll audits.
• Develop and maintain payroll process documentation and SOPs.
  
  

• Resolve complex payroll inquiries and escalations within defined SLAs.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, Compensation, and Tax teams.
• Provide payroll guidance to employees and business stakeholders.
• Collaborate with payroll vendors and third-party providers.
  
  

• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for US payroll processes.
• Mentor junior payroll specialists and support team development.
• Drive knowledge-sharing initiatives and best practices across the payroll function.
  
  

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Human Resources, US Payroll exp or related field.
• Professional payroll certification preferred.
  
  

• 10–20 years of payroll experience, with a minimum of 7+ years in US payroll operations.
• Experience managing payroll for large employee populations (1,000+ employees preferred).
• Strong experience handling multi-state payroll processing.
  
  

• Expertise in US Payroll taxation and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems such as:
• SAP Payroll
• Workday Payroll
• ADP
• Ceridian Dayforcel
  

• Certification such as FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional).
• Experience in global payroll environments.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliations.
• Experience with payroll governance, controls, and compliance audits.
• Exposure to payroll transformation, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
  
  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll cycles and deadlines.
• High level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Continuous improvement mindset.