Payroll Analyst

Prairie Consulting Services; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie Consulting Services seeks a US Payroll Analyst to support accurate and timely payroll processing for a Chicago client in a hybrid role (3 days on-site). The position focuses on ensuring compliance with payroll taxes and year-end activities while maintaining high accuracy.

The candidate should have 3–5 years of US payroll experience, 1+ year of Workday Payroll, and strong Excel skills, with an emphasis on data analysis and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on US payroll experience.
• 1+ year of Workday Payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, adjustments, reconciliations, and payroll taxes.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll is a plus.
• Strong Excel skills: Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis.
• Experience with quarterly/year-end payroll activities and W-2s.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with a payroll team.

Skills

US payroll

Workday Payroll

Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)

Data analysis

Multi-state payroll

Attention to detail

Independent & team collaboration

Job description

Hiring: US Payroll Analyst | potential Contract to Hire | Chicago, IL

Location: Chicago Downtown

Hybrid: 3 days/week onsite

We’re looking for a US Payroll Analyst to join our client's payroll team supporting accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.

What we’re looking for:

• 3-5 years of hands-on US payroll experience
• 1+ year of Workday Payroll experience - MUST HAVE
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, adjustments, reconciliations, and payroll taxes
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll is a plus
• Strong Excel skills - Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis - MUST HAVE
• Experience with quarterly/year-end payroll activities and W-2s
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with a payroll team