Payroll Analyst

ESP Enterprises Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Enterprises Inc. is seeking a Payroll Analyst to support accurate and timely multi-state payroll operations. You will process payroll, review timecards, and maintain system configurations to ensure compliant and precise compensation for employees.

You will work with HR, Accounting, Operations, and third-party payroll providers to resolve payroll questions, reconciling PTO and deductions, and supporting payroll reporting and year-end tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience, preferably multi-state.
• Experience with hourly and salaried payroll processing.
• Strong Excel, reconciliation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Pay Works, HR&P, ADP or comparable payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Process and review payroll cycles (weekly/biweekly).
• Review timecards for accuracy and approvals.
• Maintain payroll records and system configurations.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and internal departments to resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare payroll reports for accounting and management.

Skills

Payroll systems

Multi-state payroll

Excel & reconciliations

Attention to detail

Communication

Confidentiality

Tools

Pay Works

HR&P

ADP

Job description

The Payroll Analyst supports the accurate and timely administration of ESP Enterprises’ multi-state payroll operations. This role is responsible for payroll processing, timekeeping review, payroll system maintenance, employee payroll issues, payroll tax coordination, PTO reconciliation, reimbursements, retirement-plan payroll activity, and payroll reporting.

The Payroll Analyst reports to HR, and works closely with Accounting, Operations, employees, managers, clients, and third-party payroll providers to maintain accurate payroll records and resolve payroll-related issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and review weekly, biweekly, and other applicable payroll cycles.
• Review employee timecards and follow up on missing, incomplete, or inaccurate time and approvals.
• Validate regular hours, overtime, double time, holiday pay, allowances, reimbursements, per diem, deductions, and other earnings.
• Research and resolve employee payroll questions, pay discrepancies, corrections, and approved off-cycle payments.
• Maintain employee payroll records and system configurations within HR&P / HRP Pro and other payroll-related systems.
• Maintain earning codes, departments, locations, PTO configurations, deductions, employee access, and other payroll setup.
• Support multi-state payroll requirements, including employee withholding and unemployment tax account setup and maintenance.
• Maintain proper payroll coding by client, project, department, division, and work location.
• Support specialty payroll requirements including California double time, holiday worked, prevailing wage, allowances, reimbursements, and project-specific compensation.
• Reconcile PTO balances, payroll deductions, benefit deductions, and other employee payroll records.
• Support 401(k) payroll deductions, remittances, reporting, and coordination with plan administrators.
• Prepare payroll reports and supporting documentation for Accounting, Human Resources, management, tax reporting, workers’ compensation, audits, and other business needs.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations and payroll-related general-ledger support.
• Coordinate with payroll providers and internal departments to research and resolve system, tax, timekeeping, and payroll discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation and protect confidential employee compensation, banking, tax, and personal information.
• Assist with payroll system implementations, conversions, testing, and process improvements as needed.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll experience, preferably supporting a multi-state workforce.
• Experience processing payroll for hourly and salaried employees.
• Working knowledge of overtime, payroll taxation, deductions, PTO, reimbursements, and wage-and-hour requirements.
• Experience with pay Works, HR&P, ADP, or comparable payroll/HRIS platforms preferred.
• Experience supporting field, staffing, construction, installation, or project-based employees is a plus.
• Strong Excel, reconciliation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work within strict payroll deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential employee and payroll information appropriately.

Core Expectations

The Payroll Analyst is expected to maintain accurate payroll information, identify and resolve payroll discrepancies, support timely payroll processing, and provide responsive payroll support to employees and management.