Payroll Analyst

Manulife; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider is seeking a Payroll Analyst in Halifax to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payroll for various countries. You will be responsible for auditing payroll, analyzing discrepancies, and collaborating with HR. Ideal candidates will have 4–6 years of payroll experience, strong analytical capabilities, and knowledge of payroll regulations. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Health insurance

Pension plans

Paid time off

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 4–6 years payroll processing experience.
• In-depth knowledge of payroll processing and tax principles.
• Exposure to complex payroll scenarios.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for multiple jurisdictions.
• Audit payroll operations, resolve discrepancies, and analyze data.
• Collaborate with HR to resolve payroll issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Mathematical aptitude

Verbal communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration

Tools

Workday

ADP

Job description

Job Summary

As a key member of the International Payroll Services team, the Payroll Analyst ensures accurate and timely payroll processing for multiple countries. You will audit payroll operations, resolve discrepancies, and analyze data for trends and anomalies. This role requires expertise in multi-jurisdictional payroll laws and regulations and thrives in a fast-paced environment. Reports to the Payroll Manager

Position Responsibilities

Take an active role in assisting the Payroll Manager and take responsibility for accurate and timely payroll processing for Ireland, England, Switzerland, Germany, Dubai, Bermuda, with potential expansion to additional countries in the future.

• Maintain payroll records, databases, and documentation.

• Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies, trends, and anomalies.

• Collaborate with HR, vendors, and internal teams to resolve payroll issues.

• Ensure compliance with global payroll regulations and company policies.

• Assist with audits, reporting, and process improvements.

• Respond to escalated payroll inquiries and provide expert guidance.

• Participate in training and contribute to team knowledge sharing.

Individual Accountabilities

Payroll Processing (80%)

• Audit vendor work and manual payroll edits (new hires, transfers, incentives, deductions, terminations, leaves, adjustments)

• Process, reconcile and audit data received from the payroll vendor

• Process transactions from inbound interfaces (Workday, 3rd party vendors)

• Reconcile and remit third-party payments (deductions, pensions, deferred compensation, mutual funds)

• Process supplemental and off‑cycle payrolls (expat stock, board of directors or other groups)

• Validate and process transactions impacting gross‑to‑net payroll (salary, incentives, terminations, deductions)

• Review daily PECI integrations between Workday and ADP Celergo; correct errors as needed

• Prepare and upload batch files per system specs

• Assist, Process, reconcile and audit with year‑end tax reporting

• Create on‑demand checks and EFTs for corrections

Payroll Governance, Audits, and Controls (20%)

• Verify payroll data for accuracy and compliance; identify anomalies

• Maintain and update payroll documentation and SOPs

• Address and resolve tax notices

• Research, plan, test, and implement legislative changes; liaise with vendors

• Test system scenarios and resolve customer inquiries

• Support payroll accounting (journal entries, month‑end reconciliations)

• Recommend and implement process improvements

• Respond to escalated payroll inquiries in Salesforce within SLAs

• Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications

• 4–6 years payroll processing experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent

• Flexibility to work across time zones to support global payroll operations

• Strong logic and mathematical aptitude

• In‑depth knowledge of payroll processing, tax principles, wage & hour legislation

• Experience with large HR systems (Workday) and payroll providers (ADP, Ceridian, UKG)

• Exposure to complex payroll scenarios (mobile employees, expatriates, currency conversions)

• Knowledge of working across platforms (Teams, Zoom, Webex)

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, nested formulas,)

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive data

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Attention to detail, accuracy, and efficiency

• Analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to explain complex payroll topics to employees and government agencies

• Teamwork and autonomy

• Ability to train and review colleagues’ work

• Work independently following established procedure

When you join our team

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well‑being and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job‑related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.