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.