Payroll Associate / AVP

Taproot Executive Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company, a leading global financial services firm, seeks a Payroll AVP/Associate to join its Corporate Finance team in New York. The role focuses on accurate, timely U.S.

multi-state payroll processing with exposure to Canadian and international payrolls. The position supports payroll operations, accounting, reconciliations, compliance, reporting, and employee inquiries while partnering with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, and Human Resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, HR, or related field.
• 3–10+ years of payroll experience, including U.S. multi-state payroll.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end U.S. multi-state and international payroll processing.
• Process salary changes, bonuses, commissions, deductions, garnishments, leaves, severance, and other payments.
• Assist with equity compensation payroll, including taxable events, withholding, and reporting.
• Prepare payroll journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Support payroll funding, tax compliance, audits, and year-end reporting.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Equity payroll

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in accounting/finance

Tools

Payroll platform

HCM system

Job description

A leading global financial services firm is seeking a Payroll AVP/Associate to join its Corporate Finance team. This hands‑on role will support accurate and timely U.S. multi-state payroll processing, with exposure to Canadian and other international payrolls.

The Associate/AVP will assist with payroll operations, accounting, reconciliations, compliance, reporting, and employee inquiries while partnering with Accounting, Tax, Treasury, and Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end U.S. multi-state and international payroll processing.
• Process salary changes, bonuses, commissions, deductions, garnishments, leaves, severance, and other payments.
• Assist with equity compensation payroll, including taxable events, withholding, and reporting.
• Prepare payroll journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and variance analyses.
• Support payroll funding, tax compliance, audits, and year‑end reporting.
• Research payroll discrepancies and respond to employee inquiries.
• Coordinate with external payroll providers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain payroll documentation and support internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, systems, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field.
• 3-10+ years of payroll experience, including U.S. multi‑state payroll.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with payroll accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Exposure to equity compensation and international payroll is preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with a major payroll or HCM platform.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to meet firm payroll and accounting deadlines.

Compensation

• AVP (6-10 years): 110-135k base + 15-20k bonus + 40k equity
• Associate (3-5 years): 90-105k base + 10-15k bonus + 20k equity