Assistant Manager-Payroll

Ashoka University; Sonipat; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashoka University is seeking an Assistant Manager – Payroll to lead end-to-end payroll for faculty and staff from its Sonipat campus. You will ensure accurate payroll processing, statutory compliance, and responsive employee query resolution.

The role requires 4–8 years in payroll, strong MS Excel skills, and experience with HRMS (Darwin Box preferred). Prior work in education environments is a plus, with a focus on timely monthly payrolls.

Qualifications

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in commerce, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• 4-8 years of relevant experience in payroll.
• Prior experience managing payroll for a mid-sized or large organisation is preferred.
• Experience in an education/university environment would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Management: Validate inputs, process salary components, and ensure timely payroll closure.
• Statutory Compliance: Ensure PF/ESI/Tax compliance and filing of returns.
• Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation: Coordinate with Finance for payroll provisions and month-end closure.
• Employee Compensation & Benefits: Manage increments, bonuses, and benefits administration.
• Employee Lifecycle Management: Handle onboarding/offboarding payroll changes and exits.
• Payroll Audits & Controls: Maintain documentation and support audits.
• HR Operations & Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with HR, Finance, and employees on payroll matters.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Payroll processing concepts

Attention to detail

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in commerce/Finance/HR

Tools

MS Excel

Pivot Tables

VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP

HRMS (Darwin Box)

Payroll systems

Job description

Assistant Manager – Payroll

Location: Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana (Delhi-NCR)

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Senior Manager-Human Resources

Role Type: Full-time · [Permanent]

Experience: 4-8 years

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Assistant Manager– Payroll to independently manage the end-to-end payroll operations for staff and faculty and ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing. The role will be responsible for payroll processing, statutory compliance, employee compensation administration, payroll accounting coordination, audits, reconciliations, and resolving payroll-related employee queries. The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of Indian payroll practices (knowledge of international payroll will be an advantage), labour laws, statutory deductions, taxation, and HR operations.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. End-to-End Payroll Management

• Manage the complete monthly payroll process from input validation to final payroll closure.
• Ensure accurate processing of salary, allowances, deductions, reimbursements, arrears, recoveries, and other payroll components.
• Validate attendance, leave, new joiners, exits, salary revisions, promotions, transfers, and other employee master changes.
• Coordinate with HR Partners, Finance, and other stakeholders for timely payroll inputs and approvals.
• Ensure payroll is processed within defined timelines with a high degree of accuracy.
• Prepare and review payroll reports, MIS, variance reports, and management dashboards.

2. Statutory Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate compliance with applicable payroll-related statutory requirements.
• Manage compliance relating to PF, ESI, Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund, TDS, Income Tax, and other applicable statutory deductions.
• Coordinate preparation and filing of statutory returns and challans.
• Ensure accurate tax calculations and deduction of TDS based on applicable income-tax provisions.
• Experienced in annual tax processes including Form 16, investment declarations, tax projections, and employee tax queries.
• Keep track of changes in labour laws, tax regulations, and payroll-related statutory requirements and ensure necessary implementation.

3. Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Coordinate with Finance/Accounts for payroll accounting and monthly salary-related provisions.
• Perform monthly payroll reconciliation coordinating with respective departments.
• Review payroll variances and investigate discrepancies before payroll closure.
• Ensure accurate accounting of employee benefits, statutory liabilities, reimbursements, recoveries, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Support month-end and year-end payroll closing activities.

4. Employee Compensation & Benefits

• Administer salary revisions, promotions, increments, bonuses, and other compensation changes.
• Manage employee reimbursement and Flexible Benefit Plan (FBP) processes, wherever applicable.
• Support administration of benefits such as insurance, NPS, gratuity, and other employee benefits.
• Ensure correct tax treatment of salary and benefits in accordance with applicable regulations.

5. Employee Lifecycle Management

• Ensure accurate payroll processing for new joiners and employees exiting the organization.
• Coordinate full-and-final settlements, including salary, recoveries, notice-period adjustments, gratuity, and other applicable components.
• Ensure timely processing of exit-related statutory and tax requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and documentation.

6. Payroll Audits & Controls

• Ensure strong payroll controls and maintain adequate documentation for audit purposes.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors for payroll-related audits.
• Provide payroll data, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documents as required.
• Identify process gaps and implement controls to minimize payroll errors and compliance risks.

7. HR Operations & Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, HR Operations, Finance, and employees on payroll related matters.
• Address employee payroll queries and ensure timely resolution.
• Provide guidance to employees on salary structure, tax deductions, reimbursements, statutory deductions, and other payroll matters.
• Prepare periodic payroll and HR MIS for management review.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualifications

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in commerce, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline.
• 4-8 years of relevant experience in payroll.
• Prior experience managing payroll for a mid-sized or large organisation is preferred.
• Experience in an education/university environment would be an advantage.

Who You Are

• Strong understanding of Indian payroll processes and statutory compliance.
• Good knowledge of Income Tax / TDS and salary taxation.
• Working knowledge of PF, ESI, Professional Tax, Labour Welfare Fund, gratuity, and other applicable statutory provisions.
• Good command of MS Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, and data analysis.
• Experience with HRMS (Darwin Box Preferred)/payroll systems.
• Good communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and payroll information.
• Ability to work under tight monthly payroll timelines.

ABOUT ASHOKA UNIVERSITY:

https://www.ashoka.edu.in/