Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Payroll Analyst
A Payroll Analyst is responsible for collecting data and preparing related payroll statistics and reports. They prepare payroll journal entries and resolve and answer queries relating to payroll. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Payroll Analysts.
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Main Responsibilities of Payroll Analyst
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Payroll Analyst:
Accept
Accept and considers feedback on successes and failures.
Address
Address and resolve tax notices.
Analyze
Analyze and monitors compliance with financial, reporting, and legal requirements.
Analyze and review payroll processes and results.
Analyze feature maps, scenarios and user stories to understand new or enhanced.
Analyze fortnightly and monthly payroll reports and reconcile discrepancies.
Answer
Answer employees' questions about salaries and tax.
Assist in / Assist with
Assist in producing and amending the year-end tax reporting (T4 and T4A) for all payroll groups.
Assist in the preparation of year-end processes.
Assist team members as appropriate to ensure timely and accurate processing of associate payments.
Assist the Payroll Manager in the overall semi-monthly payroll process.
Assist the payroll team with daily tasks.
Assist with benefits support as needed.
Assist with payroll and statutory audits as needed.
Assist with special ad-hoc reports, department and compliance audits as needed.
Assist with special research projects.
Assist with updating the HRIS database records.
Assist with year-end W - 2 / T-4 creation, distribution and reporting.
Attend
Attend hearings and legal proceedings as the LCP Department representative.
Audit
Audit and reconcile any ROE discrepancies.
Audit and reconcile payroll data prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports.
Audit employee level data for payroll processing.
Audit new hire associate data to ensure accuracy.
Audit payroll processing to ensure accuracy.
Build
Build an environment that promotes collaboration between team members.
Calculate
Calculate and process compensation continuation payments.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with Shared Services Teams, HR Teams, Finance and any relevant business partners.
Collect
Collect and analyze information including resolving payroll discrepancies.
Collect, calculate, and enter data in order to maintain and update payroll information.
Collect data and prepare related payroll statistics and reports.
Collect payroll information and separates per country and pay group.
Complete
Complete bi-weekly payroll processing including validations and settlement.
Complete post payroll audits, prepare metrics, and track errors using technology and reporting tools.
Complete wage requests received from vendors.
Coordinate
Coordinate tax rates / tax code / set up in payroll system.
Coordinate the planning and execution of the day-to-day operations of the Department.
Coordinate with appropriate resources to obtain resolution of all issues.
Create
Create and distributes monthly payroll reports to internal management.
Create and maintain department Work Instructions.
Create requisitions and purchase orders for vendor related invoices.
Create third-party vendor reports and initiates the release of third-party vendor payments.
Deliver
Deliver superior customer service consistent with Brookfield's global service delivery standards.
Design
Design and prepare various reports for HR and management as requested.
Develop
Develop and maintain RSM time and attendance.
Develop and provide reports to management on a scheduled basis.
Develop Peer Relationships, in-person and remote.
Develop systems and protocols to direct the collection, calculation and entering of pay data.
Document
Document your customer communications effectively in the issue management system.
Drive
Drive weekly payroll reviews in coordination with Payroll Admin.
Educate
Educate oneself on peers' processes and directives.
Ensure
Ensure 100% accuracy in payroll processing and adhere to payroll compliance requirements.
Ensure accurate and timely preparation of required tax reporting.
Ensure accurate, compliant and timely payroll processing for US domestic and Canadian locations.
Ensure all payroll processing is in compliance with company policies and applicable legislation.
Ensure all statutory and other remittances are reconciled correctly.
Ensure calculation of salaried and hourly payrolls is performed in a timely manner.
Ensure compliance and continuous improvement is essential in our processes.
Ensure data integrity between ADP and benefit carriers.
Ensure direct deposit and tax details are established for new employees.
Ensure payroll is processed accurately in line with procedures, regulations, and deadlines.
Ensure tax withholding deposits according to IRS regulations.
Ensure terminated employees are paid within the specific guidelines set forth by each state.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of government remittances to avoid costly penalties.
Enter
Enter, process, and balance the bi-weekly payroll earnings and adjustments.
Establish
Establish an environment of mutual trust, respect and accountability.
Establish / maintain employee records.
Explain
Explain adjustments and results to clients, coordinators, and others.
Facilitate
Facilitate and perform regular payroll audits and prepare supporting schedules for external auditors.
Facilitate conflict resolution within a team.
Generate
Generate accurate and timely work-product based on criteria of assigned responsibilities.
Generate and review monthly reports.
Generate and submit ROEs to Service Canada.
Generate, load and audit database interfaces – analyze and reconcile discrepancies.
Handle
Handle all payroll input related to bonuses, severances, gift cards, etc..
Handle reconciliation of employee deductions and other relevant liabilities.
Handle sensitive data with integrity, confidentiality, and the utmost discretion.
Help
Help facilitate FSA discrimination testing through our provider, Further.
Identify
Identify process slowdowns and ensure compliance with CBA and company policies.
Identify root cause analysis, improve processes, and communicate changes in an effective way.
Impact
Impact the quality of own work and how it impacts the team.
Implement
Implement payroll change as per the collective agreements and employer personnel policies.
Implement Union CBA changes in Time system as needed.
Input
Input, process, and reconcile 401(k) contributions and matches.
Interact with
Interact and collaborate with team members as required.
Interact with Information Technology & Services to ensure correct functionality.
Interact with all levels of employees, tax agencies, outsourced vendors in an effective manner.
Interface with
Interface with business partners to ensure compliance with country and local laws and regulations.
Introduce
Introduce efficiencies and best practices.
Lead
Lead and own the global payroll strategy aligned with the Client's needs.
Lead Tax Year End activities for all payrolls.
Lead the Interface process between the HR and Payroll systems.
Lead the management of all 3rd party payments to ensure timely & accurate processing.
Learn
Learn about the interrelationships between various HR functions, finance, accounting, etc..
List
List / tasks to ensure payments and processes are completed accurately and timely manner.
Maintain
Maintain accurate records, including ledgers, journals, receipts, and invoices.
Maintain all bank codes for direct deposit.
Maintain all payroll records electronically, pulling reports when necessary.
Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local laws.
Maintain confidentiality of payroll information.
Maintain employees' confidence and protect payroll operations by keeping information confidential.
Maintain ongoing email and telephone support for inbound / outbound client requests.
Maintain payroll guidelines by writing and updating policies and procedures.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops.
Maintain SOX compliance in areas of responsibility.
Maintain the Payroll SharePoint website.
Manage
Manage and initiates bi-weekly and monthly payrolls for uniformed and civilian employees.
Manage and respond to payroll inquiries.
Manage payroll testing process for system upgrades and patches.
Manage wage garnishments processed by ADP.
Meet
Meet with Product Team members to discuss customer inquiries.
Monitor
Monitor for transaction completion and mitigates any stopped workflows.
Notify
Notify dealerships when Payroll Activity Reports are ready for review.
Oversee
Oversee all communication related to payroll – timelines, RRSP contributions, T4s, etc..
Oversee end to end payroll process for assigned countries.
Participate in
Participate in our 24X7 global coverage plan.
Participate in the new system selection and deployment of systems.
Perform
Perform biweekly payroll process reconciliation against vendor audit reports as required.
Perform extensive Payroll, bank and tax audits and reconciliations.
Perform other related duties or projects as assigned.
Perform other tasks as necessary.
Perform reporting of equity compensation (ESPP, RSU's, stock options, etc.).
Perform responsibilities which establish and maintain accurate employee / payroll / tax records.
Perform review and verification of source documents.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
Prepare
Prepare accounting reconciliations for Global HR-Payroll related accounts.
Prepare and analyze payroll reporting.
Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for multiple companies in multiple states.
Prepare and submit all necessary paperwork for tax deductions, benefits and garnishments.
Prepare and updates On-line training materials and related reporting.
Prepare off-cycle payrolls and manual checks as necessary.
Prepare payroll journal entries and work with the payroll accountant to resolve discrepancies.
Prepare payroll reports and perform payroll analysis as required.
Prepare reports as requested.
Prepare reports based on requirement from Accounting, Tax, HR and government.
Prepare year-end documentation as required.
Process
Process and balance payroll expenses, deductions, and adjustments.
Process benefit costs, like insurance fees and sick leaves.
Process daily stock option exercises, RSU and NSO and ISO's.
Process executive payments for Visa employees.
Process interface and other data files from Workday and HR vendors.
Process new hires, employee changes, and terminations.
Process payroll for Board of Directors and ensure accurate reporting.
Process payrolls for variety of countries utilizing CloudPay.
Process supplemental and stock related off-cycle payrolls.
Process various tasks within accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
Produce
Produce attendance and overtime reports.
Provide
Provide accurate, compliant and timely payments for all ARYZTA US locations.
Provide accurate, compliant and timely payments for all Aspire US locations.
Provide any exceptions to managers and HR, ensuring they have been resolved.
Provide comprehensive services and has technical knowledge to solve complex problems.
Provide coverage for payroll administrators as required.
Provide data to the HR team as requested.
Provide exceptional customer service to RSM.
Provide new hire orientation on payroll and timekeeping procedures.
Provide superior customer service to employees with questions relating to their payroll.
Provide support and review to core HCM application.
Provide timely follow-up to employee questions.
Provide work direction to Payroll Associates to ensure accurate day-to-day payroll operations.
Provide work leadership for peer group.
Receive
Receive, research, determine root cause, and resolve incoming tax notices from various agencies.
Recommend
Recommend and participate in the implementation of process improvements.
Reconcile
Reconcile Form 941 to verify accuracy of Form 941 information with payroll records.
Reconcile all payroll G / L accounts.
Reconcile a variety of financial records and information.
Relieve
Relieve for the payroll supervisors and team leads.
Research
Research, interpret, audits and maintain financial records and databases.
Resolve
Resolve and answer queries relating to payroll.
Resolve payroll discrepancies.
Resolve payroll tax inquiries and issues.
Resolve problems by analyzing reports, applying good judgment, and escalating unresolved issues.
Respond to
Respond to all employment verifications and requests for information.
Respond to and process writs of garnishments.
Respond to employee inquiries and / or issues.
Respond to employee inquiries and requests regarding payroll matters.
Respond to employment verification requests.
Respond to federal, state, and / or city agencies requests.
Respond to payroll questions & requests from employees.
Respond to payroll related inquires by employees.
Respond to various audit and tax agency queries and requests.
Review
Review and balance payrolls before and after they have been processed.
Review daily manual checks for terminations, pay corrections, etc..
Review, maintain Payroll Standard Operating Procedure and job-aids.
Review timesheets for accuracy and approvals.
Review time tracking in Workday to ensure exception pay is accurate.
Solve
Solve a problem by analyzing its component parts and identifying the key or underlying issues.
Stay current with
Stay current with changes in the law.
Stimulate
Stimulate steady process enhancement to present increasing operational efficiency.
Support
Support all payroll project or other initiatives as required.
Support and researches payroll inquiries.
Support Associate Services (HR) / Payroll at the Operating Unit.
Support cross functional projects with payroll partners.
Support HRIS upgrades, testing and other technical projects from a payroll and pension perspective.
Support India payroll and compliance by working with respective service providers.
Support new requirements for Payroll in Workday.
Support other payroll activity, specific to the region.
Support team efforts to deliver payroll services to larger organizational groups.
Support the payroll accounting team with Global Month end reconciliation research.
Support with garnishment and ROE processing.
Support Workday testing as required by Workday SME.
Test
Test system scenarios and duplicate issues to resolve customer inquiries.
Train
Train others in the department and ensure the implementation of best practices within the department.
Understand
Understand all payroll, tax laws, garnishments and payroll system setup and integrations.
Update
Update and document processes.
Utilize
Utilize JIRA, Confluence, Sequel Pro, MySQL, IntelliJ and other tools for analysis and development.
Verify
Verify and balance all payroll entries prior to completing the transmission to third party.
Work with
Work closely with Finance & Payroll Managers to complete bank reconciliations.
Work closely with HR / Benefits to reconcile benefits premiums.
Work closely with payroll, HR and finance.
Work closely with the Human Resources and Finance teams to coordinate payroll related activities.
Work with Finance and Payroll Departments to resolve direct deposit exceptions.
Work with functional partners for testing and implement solutions to achieve business goals.
Work with HR, CIIC, CRC and HRIT to collect and maintain manual data in payroll system.
Work with IT department to ensure payroll runs smoothly.
Work with Vendor to complete each monthly payroll accurately and within deadlines.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Payroll Analyst:
PCP
SAP
HR
CPP
Outlook
Pivot Tables
Business
Kronos
Payroll Legislation
Reporting
Tax
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Payroll Analyst:
Written and oral communication skills
Analytical ability
Problem-solving attitude
Organizational capacity
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Flexible
Multi-task
Time-management
Team player
Priority management
Work ethic
Organized
Self-motivated
Critical thinker
Work independently with little direction
Detail-oriented
Maintain confidentiality
Proactive
Accurate
Accountable
Detailed oriented
Discretion
Receptive to change
Decision-making skills
