Payroll Manager (Semiconductor)

Acara Solutions, Inc.; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 136,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Acara Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Payroll Manager to own end-to-end U.S. payroll for about 180 employees in a hybrid environment (3 days in office, 2 at home). This role reports to Corporate Controller and interacts with HR, Finance, and external providers.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of payroll experience, strong ADP knowledge, and hands-on experience with Oracle and SAP. Semiconductor/tech experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience for 150+ employees.
• 3+ years with ADP payroll systems.
• 5+ years Excel experience with pivot tables and reconciliation.
• 2+ years multi-state payroll processing and taxation.
• 2+ years in a supervisory/lead role.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete U.S. payroll cycle for ~180 employees (salaried and hourly).
• Process regular, supplemental, bonus, and other payrolls.
• Review inputs for accuracy of hours, earnings, deductions, taxes, PTO, bonuses.
• Perform pre- and post-payroll audits for accuracy.
• Ensure timely payroll processing per calendars and deadlines.
• Coordinate payroll activities with HR, Finance, Accounting, and Benefits.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Analytical

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ADP

Oracle

SAP

Job description

Employment Type: Direct Hire (they are also open to a contractor if candidate prefers)

Compensation: $160K (flexible)

Schedule: Hybrid - 3 days a week in the office, 2 at home

About the Opportunity:

180-200 employees locally and in other states.

1 direct report.

Multiple employees in other states

Involved with many audits

This is a technical position

This position reports to the Corporate Controller.

The Payroll Manager will be responsible for the end-to-end U.S. payroll process, including payroll preparation and review, payroll tax compliance, employee support, payroll accounting, reconciliations, reporting, internal controls, and coordination with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, and external payroll providers.

This position will work extensively with ADP, Oracle, and SAP and will serve as a key subject-matter expert for payroll systems, processes, controls, and compliance. The successful candidate will be highly detail-oriented, analytical, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced global semiconductor technology environment.

What You’ll Do:

U.S. Payroll Processing

• Manage the complete U.S. payroll cycle for approximately 180 salaried and non-salaried employees.
• Process regular, supplemental, bonus, and other special payrolls as required.
• Review payroll inputs for accuracy, including hours worked, earnings, deductions, benefits, taxes, PTO, bonuses, and other adjustments.
• Perform detailed pre- and post-payroll audits to ensure payroll accuracy.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely in accordance with established payroll calendars and deadlines.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.
• Coordinate payroll activities with Human Resources, Finance, Accounting, and other departments.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.

ADP, Oracle & SAP

• Serve as the primary payroll subject-matter expert for ADP.
• Manage payroll-related data interfaces and transactions between ADP, Oracle, SAP, HR systems, timekeeping systems, and other applications.
• Partner with IT and system administrators to troubleshoot payroll system and interface issues.
• Monitor data integrity between payroll, HR, timekeeping, and accounting systems.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, system documentation, controls, and process maps.
• Identify opportunities to automate payroll processes, reporting, reconciliations, and controls.
• Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and enhancements.

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries and accounting schedules.
• Reconcile payroll, payroll liabilities, tax accounts, benefit deductions, and other payroll-related balance sheet accounts.
• Coordinate with Accounting to ensure payroll is accurately recorded in the general ledger.
• Utilize Oracle and SAP for payroll accounting, reporting, reconciliations, and financial processes.
• Investigate and resolve payroll-to-general-ledger discrepancies.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close activities.
• Provide payroll information and analysis to the Corporate Accounting and Finance teams.

Payroll Tax & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Manage payroll tax filings, deposits, and related compliance requirements through ADP and/or third-party providers.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local payroll legislation and assess their impact on company's payroll processes.
• Manage multi-state payroll requirements, including state income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, local taxes, and employee work-location changes.
• Ensure accurate reporting of taxable wages, deductions, benefits, and employer contributions.
• Oversee year-end payroll reporting, including W-2s, W-2Cs, and other required filings.
• Coordinate with external payroll tax providers, auditors, and tax advisors as appropriate.

Internal Controls, Audit & Risk Management

• Develop, maintain, and monitor effective payroll internal controls.
• Maintain appropriate payroll approval processes and segregation of duties.
• Perform periodic payroll audits and data reviews to identify errors, unusual transactions, or compliance risks.
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and analysis.
• Maintain appropriate payroll documentation and records.
• Protect confidential employee compensation, tax banking, and personal information.

Employee & Management Support

• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers regarding payroll questions and issues.
• Provide guidance regarding payroll deductions, tax withholding, pay statements, PTO, bonuses, and other payroll matters.
• Prepare payroll reports and analysis for management, Human Resources, Finance, and Accounting.
• Provide payroll information to support budgeting, forecasting, compensation reviews, and other business activities.
• Communicate payroll deadlines, requirements, and changes clearly to employees and managers.

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.

Job Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

Min 5 years of progressive and technical payroll experience, including significant hands‑on payroll processing and experience managing payroll within an organization of 150 or more employees. Including:

• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and general ledger processes.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll requirements
• Strong technical, analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

Min 3 years of experience with ADP payroll systems

Min 5 years of experience with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, data analysis, and reconciliation techniques.

Min 2 years of experience with multi-state payroll processing and taxation

Min 2 years of experience as a manager, lead or supervisor

What Sets You Apart:

Oracle and SAP financial systems experience

• Payroll experience within a semiconductor, technology, manufacturing, or multinational corporate environment.
• Experience supporting employees working across multiple states.
• Experience with ADP implementations, upgrades, and system integrations.
• Experience with ADP-to-Oracle and/or ADP-to-SAP interfaces.
• Experience with payroll automation and process improvement.
• Experience working with external payroll tax providers and auditors.
• Experience in an environment with strong internal controls and/or SOX compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting payroll for both exempt/salaried and non-exempt/hourly employees.

Aleron companies (Acara Solutions, Aleron Shared Resources, Broadleaf Results, Lume Strategies, TalentRise, Viaduct) are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position does not meet the employment requirements for individuals with F-1 OPT STEM work authorization status.