Payroll Manager – Workday Payroll, Multi-State Payroll

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an accomplished Payroll Lead to own end-to-end Workday payroll across multiple states for 1,500+ employees. You will manage all payroll cycles from preparation to final processing and ensure accurate equity transactions and tax withholdings.

You will partner with HRIS and IT on Workday enhancements, maintain SOX controls, and support month-end and year-end closes while adhering to federal, state, and local regulations. Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills are a must.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of payroll experience (Workday preferred).
• Hands-on Workday Payroll and multi-state processing.
• Strong payroll accounting knowledge.
• Experience with W-2/W-2c filings and equity transactions.
• Proficient in Excel and Google Sheets.
• Familiar with SOX controls.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end multi-state payroll for 1,500+ employees.
• Manage payroll activities from preparation through final processing.
• Process equity transactions and payroll tax withholding.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and GL reconciliations.
• Support month-end and year-end close.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
• Oversee garnishments and deductions.
• Assist with SOX controls and audit documentation.

Skills

Workday Payroll

Multi-state payroll

Payroll accounting

Excel/Sheets

Job description

• Process end-to-end multi-state payroll for more than 1,500 employees using Workday Payroll.
• Manage payroll activities from payroll preparation through final processing.
• Process employee equity transactions and related payroll tax withholding.
• Troubleshoot payroll issues and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Partner with HRIS and IT on Workday enhancements, testing, and system updates.
• Serve as the primary payroll subject matter expert.
• Prepare payroll journal entries.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and general ledger reconciliations.
• Review payroll accruals and payroll liabilities.
• Support month-end and year-end financial close activities.
• Partner with Accounting to ensure payroll expenses are accurately recorded.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Process payroll remittances and tax filings.
• Manage W-2 and W-2c processing.
• Maintain payroll SOX controls and audit documentation.
• Respond to payroll tax notices and agency inquiries.
• Support payroll audits and internal compliance reviews.
• Oversee time and attendance processes.
• Ensure payroll data is accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
• Administer garnishments, levies, and other required deductions.
• Maintain compliance with FLSA and state wage and hour regulations.
• Identify opportunities to automate payroll processes.
• Support payroll system integrations and enhancements.
• Utilize AI tools such as Claude, Gemini, or similar technologies to improve reporting, documentation, research, and workflow efficiency.
• Recommend process improvements that reduce manual effort and improve payroll accuracy.

Requirements

• 8+ years of payroll experience (exceptional candidates with 4–6 years of extensive Workday Payroll ownership will also be considered).
• Hands‑on experience processing payroll using Workday Payroll.
• Experience managing end‑to‑end multi‑state payroll processing.
• Strong payroll accounting knowledge including:
• Payroll journal entries
• General ledger reconciliation
• Payroll reconciliations
• Payroll accruals
• Month‑end and year‑end close
• Experience processing equity transactions through Workday Payroll.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Experience processing W-2 and W-2c forms.
• Experience with payroll SOX controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets proficiency.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining confidentiality.