Payroll Director: Lead & Optimize Client Payroll

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen); Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a Payroll Director to lead the Outsourcing payroll team. The role oversees payroll processing, payroll taxes, and client relationships, ensuring accurate, compliant cycles and high-quality service.

You will coach analysts, shape policies, and drive efficiency across payroll engagements. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in payroll, strong leadership, and a degree in business/accounting/HR (PHR/SPHR/CPP a plus).

Qualifications

• 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Experience in payroll processing plus 2 years of leadership experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree is required. Combination of experience, education, and training may be accepted in lieu of degree.
• Degree in Business, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• PHR, SPHR or CPP preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including MS Excel (or other spreadsheet experience), and payroll software is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Department Management: Oversee payroll processing and review the work of Payroll Analyst I and Payroll Analyst II. Identify and provide training and guidance to team members. Assist in hiring and coaching payroll analysts.
• Tax Management: Oversee and provide guidance with state tax registrations for payroll clients. Oversee and manage quarterly tax filing process for the department. Serve as firm wide resource for payroll tax assistance.
• Process Management: Develop policies and procedures to ensure client experiences are consistent and of high quality. Develop and implement business processes to assure accuracy and efficiency. Contribute to proposals and establishing fee quotes. Absorb more complex payroll processing as needed.
• Client Service: Manage client relationships and serve as escalation point as needed. Consult on compensation and benefit issues with clients as needed. Facilitate invoicing with clients and follow up to ensure maximized realization occurs. Serve as project manager for set up of new clients. Lead client conversions and serve as project manager.

Skills

Payroll processing

Leadership

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Business/Accounting/HR degree preferred

PHR

SPHR

CPP

Tools

MS Excel

Payroll software

Job description

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a Payroll Director to lead the Outsourcing payroll team. The role oversees payroll processing, payroll taxes, and client relationships, ensuring accurate, compliant cycles and high-quality service.

You will coach analysts, shape policies, and drive efficiency across payroll engagements. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in payroll, strong leadership, and a degree in business/accounting/HR (PHR/SPHR/CPP a plus).