Payroll Analyst or Senior Payroll Analyst

Duke Energy; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a highly analytical Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for a large energy company. The role emphasizes accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement, with collaboration across HR, Finance, Tax, IT, and the external payroll vendor.

The position offers a hybrid work model, opportunities for growth, and a focus on delivering a positive employee experience while ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, HR, or closely related field.
• Experience with payroll processing and payroll compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).

Responsibilities

• Payroll operations support accurate and timely processing for multiple populations and pay cycles.
• Review results, investigate variances, and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations and company policies.
• Provide payroll expertise for corrections, special payments, and complex scenarios.
• Support year-end activities (W-2 review, validation, reporting).
• Collaborate with vendor and internal partners to ensure accurate payroll execution.
• Prepare and analyze payroll reports for management and regulatory purposes.

Skills

Payroll processing

Analytical skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business/Accounting/Finance/HR)

Tools

Workday Payroll

Microsoft Excel

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day.

Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The hiring manager may elect to fill this position as a Payroll Analyst or one level higher as a Senior Payroll Analyst, dependent upon the experience of the selected candidate.

Duke Energy is seeking a highly analytical and customer-focused Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for one of the nation's largest energy companies.

This role is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and a positive employee experience.

The Payroll Analyst partners with HR, Finance, Tax, Information Technology, and Duke Energy's payroll service provider to support payroll processes impacting a large and diverse workforce.

The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, payroll tax expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted payroll subject matter expert, helping drive compliance, operational efficiency, and process modernization initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations Support accurate and timely payroll processing for multiple employee populations and pay cycles.
• Review payroll results, investigate variances, and resolve discrepancies.
• Analyze payroll transactions to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Provide payroll expertise for pay corrections, special payments, and complex employee scenarios.
• Compliance and Controls Support compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review, validation, and reporting.
• Support SOX controls and payroll compliance reviews through documentation, testing, and audit support.
• Research payroll tax issues and provide recommendations for resolution.
• Coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests.
• Vendor Partnership Management Collaborate with Duke Energy's payroll vendor and service partners to ensure accurate and timely payroll execution.
• Monitor service delivery and assist in resolving escalated payroll issues.
• Participate in regular operational reviews and process improvement discussions with vendor partners.
• Analytics and Reporting Prepare and analyze payroll reports for management, finance, and regulatory purposes.
• Conduct data analysis to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Utilize Workday and Microsoft Excel to support payroll reporting and decision making.
• Develop recommendations based on data-driven insights.
• Continuous Improvement Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and employee experience.
• Participate in system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities.
• Assist in documenting payroll procedures and maintaining process documentation.
• Support strategic payroll initiatives and cross-functional projects.

Key Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or closely related field.
• Experience with payroll processing, payroll compliance requirements, payroll tax or closely related.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required Qualifications - Payroll Analyst

• Bachelor's degree
• In addition to required degree, one (1) or more years related work experience
• In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 1 plus years' related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND five (5) or more years related work experience

Required Qualifications - Senior Payroll Analyst

• Bachelor’s degree
• In addition to required degree, three (3) or more years related work experience
• In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND three (3) or more years related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND seven (7) or more years related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
• Experience supporting large multi-state payroll operations.
• Experience with Workday Payroll.
• Experience working with third-party payroll providers.
• Knowledge of payroll tax reporting and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting SOX controls, audits, or compliance programs.
• Experience with reporting and analytics tools.
• Utility, energy, or large enterprise payroll experience preferred.

What Sets This Opportunity Apart

• Opportunity to support payroll operations for a Fortune 500 energy company.
• Exposure to complex, multi-state payroll and tax environments.
• Significant partnership with HR, Finance, Tax, and external providers.
• Ability to influence process improvements and modernization efforts.
• Meaningful impact on employee experience and payroll compliance.

Working Conditions

Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to Duke Energy location. 3 days per week in the office requirement #LI-PG1 #LI-Hybrid

Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements Not required

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No Represented/Union Position

No Represented/Union Position

No Visa Sponsored Position

No Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position.

This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Read about our commitment to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.

Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status.

Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.