Payroll Administrator

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Administrator to manage the bi-weekly payroll for 1,000+ employees. You will partner with Finance, Tax, HR, and external auditors to ensure accurate processing, regulatory compliance, and timely reporting.

The role requires 2+ years of payroll experience, a Bachelor’s degree (or related substitute), and strong Excel/Dayforce skills. You will support audits and drive process improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; related experience may substitute.
• Minimum 2 years payroll experience with increasing responsibility.
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and service-focused.
• Experience with payroll tax compliance and wage and hour laws.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for 1,000+ employees accurately and on schedule.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll regulations and company policies.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll-related general ledger entries with Finance.
• Research and resolve payroll tax issues and SUI matters.
• Maintain and audit employee payroll and HR data (hiring, termination, changes).
• Support internal and external audits with payroll records and reports.
• Assist Tax with expatriate payroll activities and relocation-related matters.
• Respond to payroll inquiries from employees and managers.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and automate where possible.
• Generate payroll reports to support business, compliance and reporting requirements.

Skills

Payroll processing

Excel

HCM system Dayforce

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Communication

Timekeeping

Audits support

Process improvement

multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/business administration or related field

Tools

Dayforce

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Essential Functions

The Payroll Administrator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll for more than 1,000 employees, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as company policies. This role serves as a key partner to Finance, Tax, Human Resources, and external auditors, supporting payroll operations, compliance, reporting, and process improvement initiatives. You will join a collaborative, high-performing team that values accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly analytical, and committed to delivering exceptional service while thriving in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Functions

The Payroll Administrator is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll for more than 1,000 employees, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as company policies. This role serves as a key partner to Finance, Tax, Human Resources, and external auditors, supporting payroll operations, compliance, reporting, and process improvement initiatives. You will join a collaborative, high-performing team that values accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly analytical, and committed to delivering exceptional service while thriving in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule, including salaries, wages, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and company policies.
• Prepare, reconcile, and support payroll-related general ledger entries in partnership with the Finance team.
• Research and resolve payroll tax issues, including State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) matters and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain and audit employee payroll and HR data, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and demographic updates.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll records, reports, reconciliations, and required documentation.
• Partner with the Tax team to support expatriate payroll activities, including tax reporting, relocation expenses, cost-of-living adjustments, and related compensation matters.
• Respond to employee, manager, and stakeholder payroll and timekeeping inquiries with professionalism and accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, strengthen controls, and implement automation and efficiency enhancements.
• Generate and analyze payroll reports to support business, compliance, and reporting requirements.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of end-to-end payroll processing, payroll accounting, internal controls, and payroll tax compliance.
• Experience administering timekeeping systems, including pay rules, accruals, reporting, and issue resolution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with Human Capital Management (HCM) and payroll systems; Dayforce experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing business and regulatory requirements.
• A passion for continuous improvement and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• The ability to quickly learn new systems, processes, and regulations.
• A self-starter mindset with strong ownership and accountability.
• A collaborative approach that fosters positive relationships across departments.
• A commitment to accuracy, compliance, and exceptional customer service.
• A growth-oriented attitude that embraces feedback, development, and new challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred; equivalent payroll experience will be considered.

Minimum of two (2) years of payroll experience with increasing responsibility.

Working Conditions

Must be able to tolerate frequent periods of high stress, heavy workload, and multiple priorities.