Senior Specialist - Payroll Operations & Improvements (1 year FTC)

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 89,280 - 178,560; Full time

Job summary

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants is seeking a Payroll Project Manager to lead payroll-related programs, ensure accurate and timely processing, and safeguard confidential data. You will report to the Senior Manager - Payroll and contribute as an individual selector across global payroll activities.

The role emphasizes system migrations, data validation, workflow optimization, audit-ready reconciliations, and providing technical guidance on escalations while

Qualifications

• 5+ years payroll experience within a Shared Services Centre or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements in relevant countries (US, UK, EMEA, APAC).

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll system migration programs with parallel testing and data validation.
• Evaluate workflows, identify bottlenecks, and propose automation or standardisation.
• Resolve legacy issues across pay periods and employee groups to maintain accuracy.
• Reconcile payroll registers against funding, reports, and statutory filings for audit purposes.
• Serve as a backup processor for regional/high-complexity countries (including US).
• Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to resolve issues within timelines.
• Provide guidance on complex payroll escalations and act as an independent checker.

Skills

Payroll management

Process improvement

Data analysis

Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Payroll software

Job description

About the Role: You will lead payroll-related project management programs and guide process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Ensure the accurate and timely processing of the Association’s payroll through effective payroll system management. Maintain confidentiality and safeguard financial information, conduct payroll-related analysis, and support wage verification and distribution activities. You will report to the Senior Manager - Payroll. You will be an individual contributor.

You Will

• Lead payroll system migration programs, including parallel testing, driving data validation accuracy, and shaping functional requirements through engagement with important partners.
• Evaluate current workflows, identify bottlenecks, and propose automation or standardisation opportunities.
• Review and resolve outstanding legacy issues across multiple pay periods and employee groups. Streamline manual processes and data corrections to maintain payroll accuracy and identify automation opportunities.
• Reconcile payroll registers against funding, reports, and statutory filings; document findings and corrective actions for audit purposes.
• Be the backup processor for regional and high-complexity countries (including US), ensuring compliance with global policy and statutory requirements.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal teams to resolve issues and ensure closure within agreed timelines.
• Support complex payroll escalations and provide technical guidance.
• Serve as an independent checker for payroll processes and outputs to ensure accuracy, compliance, and adherence to control frameworks.
• Flag risks or discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.

You Have

• 5+ years’ experience payroll experience within a Shared Services Centre, or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements in relevant countries, e.g., US, UK, EMEA, APAC.

How We Support You

We provide flexibility to help you achieve a good work-life balance. You'll be part of a global, diverse team that fosters an environment of inclusion and belonging where you are valued for who you are and where you come from. We offer benefit options in and out of the workplace, including healthcare, retirement, annual leave, parental leave, an employee assistance program, and flexible options to choose benefits that are right for you, your family, and your lifestyle. We also support continuous learning through investing in learning opportunities to help you reach your full potential.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.