Payroll Professional

IBM; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM India Pvt. Ltd. in Bengaluru is seeking an experienced Regional Payroll Specialist to oversee end-to-end payroll for Japan. The role requires SME-level knowledge of Japanese payroll regulations, taxes, and compliance across the four jurisdictions.

You will manage monthly lifecycle, coordinate with vendors, handle off-cycle payments and year-end processes, and ensure data integrity in the HRIS/Payroll system. Fluency in English; Japanese language skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR or related field.
• 3–5 years of hands-on end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Japan payroll regulations, taxes and social security.
• Experience with HRIS/Payroll systems and Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full monthly payroll lifecycle for Japan (JP) including input validation, calculation, reconciliation, and payment execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of salaries, statutory contributions, benefits, tax withholdings, deductions, and final payments.
• Coordinate with local payroll vendors/partners to ensure data exchange and SLAs.
• Process off-cycle payments, bonuses, and special payroll runs as required.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and social security/pension in Japan.
• Maintain payroll data within the HRIS/Payroll system (e.g., SuccessFactors, SAP).

Skills

Payroll processing

Regulatory compliance

Japan payroll

Excel

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/HR

Tools

SuccessFactors

SAP

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and meticulous Regional Payroll Specialist to oversee the end-to-end payroll function for our employees for Japan. The ideal candidate will be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the payroll regulations, taxation, and statutory requirements of these four distinct jurisdictions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution of all payroll processes.

Your Role And Responsibilities

• Manage the full monthly payroll lifecycle for Japan (JP) including input validation, calculation, reconciliation, and payment execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of salaries, statutory contributions, benefits, tax withholdings, deductions, and final payments (e.g., termination pay, severance).
• Coordinate effectively with local payroll vendors/partners in each country to ensure seamless data exchange and adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Process off-cycle payments, bonuses, and special payroll runs as required.
• Compliance and Statutory Reporting:
• Serve as the primary point of contact and SME for all payroll compliance matters in Japan.
• Ensure full compliance with local labor laws, income tax regulations, social security, pension, and other mandatory contributions (e.g., Japan Social Insurance/Nenkin)
• Manage and file all statutory reports and year-end processes (e.g., Japan Year-End Adjustment/Gensen-Choshu)
• Monitor and implement changes related to local regulatory updates and tax law reforms across all four regions.
• Data Management and Audit:
• Maintain strict confidentiality and accuracy of all payroll data, ensuring proper documentation and record-keeping for audit trails.
• Prepare and generate various payroll reports for Finance, HR, and Management analysis (e.g., GL postings, cost center allocations, headcount reports).
• Support internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
• Manage and maintain payroll data within the HRIS/Payroll system (e.g., SuccessFactors, SAP).
• Stakeholder Management:
• Act as the main point of contact for employee payroll inquiries, providing clear, professional, and timely resolution.
• Collaborate closely with the Regional HR team, Finance/Accounting, and Treasury departments on payroll funding, reconciliation, and budgeting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of regional payroll operations.

Preferred Education

Master's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years of hands-on, end-to-end payroll processing experience.
• Regional Expertise: Mandatory in-depth working knowledge and practical experience processing payroll for employees in Japan.
• Compliance: Demonstrated expertise in the specific labor, tax, and social security/pension regulations of these four jurisdictions.
• Systems: Proficiency in a major HRIS/Payroll system (e.g., SuccessFactors, SAP) and advanced Excel skills.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Japanese is highly desirable to liaise with local teams/vendors/authorities.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex, multi-country payroll calculations and issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex payroll matters to non-payroll stakeholders.
• Highly organized, proactive, and able to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential employee information.