Payroll Operations Lead

Tepa Companies; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 104,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tepa Companies in Denver, CO seek a Payroll Operations Lead to manage weekly and biweekly payroll processing, ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and support payroll systems and reconciliations.

The role handles tax research, garnishments, leave accruals, and audit documentation while collaborating with HR, Accounting, and project teams to resolve issues and improve processes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, HR or related field is required.

Responsibilities

• Process and audit weekly and biweekly payrolls, including regular pay, bonuses, terminations, manual checks, garnishments, and adjustments.

Skills

Workday experience

Multi-state payroll

Payroll tax filing

Payroll regulations knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/HR

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About The Tepa Companies

Established in 2005 and owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, The Tepa Companies deliver comprehensive and sustainable solutions to federal, state, local, and private-sector clients throughout the United States. The tribally owned companies work independently and collaboratively to provide wide-ranging construction, engineering, environmental, industrial, staffing, and technology services.

About The Tepa Companies

Established in 2005 and owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, The Tepa Companies deliver comprehensive and sustainable solutions to federal, state, local, and private-sector clients throughout the United States. The tribally owned companies work independently and collaboratively to provide wide-ranging construction, engineering, environmental, industrial, staffing, and technology services.

When you join Tepa Companies, you have the opportunity to expand your entrepreneurial skill set while growing professionally alongside the best in the industry. You will have the opportunity to impact your team, the organization as a whole, and subsequently, our Tribe.

We seek out top talent to provide the best services for our clients. We focus on being a responsible company for our employees and their families by creating a culture that reflects our core values and offering competitive pay and benefits package. Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental, vision, generous paid time off and holidays, 401(k) plan with company match, life insurance, flexible spending and health savings account, mental health support and resources, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.

About The Job

The Tepa Companies are seeking a Payroll Operations Lead for payroll processing, payroll tax support, and operational support across multiple states. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll processing while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The position serves as a key resource for payroll systems, integrations, tax research, reconciliations, process improvements, and issue resolution, while supporting employees, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

Job Functions

• Process and audit weekly and biweekly payrolls, including regular pay, bonuses, terminations, manual checks, garnishments, and adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, payroll taxes, Davis-Bacon and Prevailing Wage requirements.
• Assist with monitoring payroll systems and integrations, research errors, perform root cause analysis, and recommend process improvements and efficiencies.
• Maintain payroll reconciliations, file uploads, accruals, payroll documentation, payroll SOP’s and audit support.
• Assist with processing employee payroll changes including garnishments, allowances, personal charges and leave accruals.
• Assist employees with payroll, timekeeping, leave, and payroll-related inquiries.
• Support payroll tax research, deposits, filing, corrections, and compliance reporting.
• Perform all money movement between HRIS system and banking
• Collaborate with Davis Bacon Specialist, Accounting, HR, vendors, subcontractors, and project teams to resolve payroll and certified payroll issues.
• Maintain payroll workflows, procedures, and audit documentation.
• Stay current on payroll (FLSA/State) regulatory changes, and best practices.
• Train and support other payroll team members as needed.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in Accounting, HR or related field with 5+ years working knowledge of payroll or 8+ years working knowledge of payroll experience required
• Workday experience preferred
• Experience with acquisitions and system conversions
• Multi-state payroll experience
• Experience with payroll tax filing and reconciliations
• Systems oriented with the ability to learn and understand system requirements and relationships
• Clear understanding of payroll regulations and compliance, including federal, state and local wage and hour policies, employment tax laws, Davis Bacon Act and Related Acts, and Prevailing Wage regulations
• Excellent written & oral communication and strong relationship building skills required
• Detail oriented with solid organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong computer skills including use of MS Office (Word, Excel & Outlook), with a willingness to learn new software programs

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Salary Range

$104,302.22 - $128,779.44