Senior Payroll Analyst

Okta; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work

Competitive benefits

401(k) matching

Job summary

Okta is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Analyst for its Americas Payroll team. You will manage end-to-end multi-state US payroll for 5,000+ employees, including base salary, commissions, and year-end processes, with potential to support Canada, LATAM.

You will drive tax compliance, SOX controls, and workflow automation using Workday and Alteryx, collaborating with Finance, People Operations, and HR partners in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Remote flexibility offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive, end-to-end multi-state US payroll experience.
• Deep knowledge of US labor laws, FLSA classifications, multi-state withholding, and payroll accounting principles.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to investigate discrepancies and reconcile large datasets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to explain complex compensation and tax matters.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Payroll Operations: Own and execute complex bi-weekly multi-state US payroll cycles including base salary, variable compensation, retro adjustments, and terminations.
• Equity & Off-Cycle Administration: Process and reconcile equity transactions (RSUs, ESPP, NQSOs) and manage off-cycle runs.
• Benefits, Deductions & Garnishments: Oversee 401(k) contributions/match audits, FSA/HSA, wage garnishments, and taxable fringe benefits.
• Tax & Statutory Compliance: Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations; support W-2 reconciliation and reporting.
• Internal Controls & Audits: Conduct pre- and post-payroll audits in line with SOX and external audits.
• Process Automation & Efficiency: Develop automated reporting and reconciliation models using Excel and data tools like Alteryx and Workday EIBs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Support: Serve as Tier-2 for employee inquiries via ServiceNow; partner with People Ops, Total Rewards, HRBPs, and Corporate Accounting.

Skills

Workday Payroll

Workday HCM

ServiceNow

Excel advanced

Alteryx

Data analysis

Payroll taxes

Tools

Time-tracking systems

Payroll reporting tools

Job description

Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human

Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence.

This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk.

Position Overview

At Okta, we are looking for an experienced, detail-oriented, and analytical Senior Payroll Analyst to join our Americas Payroll team. In this role, you will play a critical part in executing accurate, compliant, and timely semi-monthly payroll operations across multi-state US jurisdictions for over 5,000+ employees, with opportunities to support broader AMER entities (e.g., Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay).

As a subject matter expert in payroll processing, multi-state tax compliance, and benefit/equity reconciliations, you will drive operational excellence, implement workflow automations, and deliver white-glove support to our growing employee base.

What You'll Do (Key Responsibilities)

• End-to-End Payroll Operations: Own and execute complex bi-weekly multi-state US payroll cycles, ensuring accurate calculations for base salary, variable compensation (sales commissions, bonuses), retro adjustments, and termination payouts.
• Equity & Off-Cycle Administration: Partner closely with Stock Administration and Accounting to process and reconcile equity-related transactions (RSUs, ESPP, NQSOs) and manage off-cycle payroll runs.
• Benefits, Deductions & Garnishments: Oversee compliance and execution of specialized deductions, including 401(k) contributions/match audits, FSA/HSA, wage garnishments, and taxable fringe benefits.
• Tax & Statutory Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations. Manage multi-state tax setups, resolve tax agency notices, and support year-end W-2 reconciliation and reporting.
• Internal Controls & Audits: Execute rigorous pre- and post-payroll audit procedures in compliance with SOX controls, internal accounting policies, and external financial audit requirements.
• Process Automation & Efficiency: Identify opportunities to optimize workflows; develop and maintain automated reporting and reconciliation models using advanced Excel and data tools (e.g., Alteryx, Workday EIBs).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Support: Serve as a Tier-2 escalation point for employee inquiries submitted via ServiceNow. Collaborate cross-functionally with People Operations, Total Rewards, HR Business Partners, and Corporate Accounting.

What You'll Bring (Qualifications & Experience)

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive, end-to-end multi-state US payroll experience, ideally within a high-growth SaaS, tech, or large public enterprise environment.

• Technical & System Expertise:

  • Advanced proficiency with Workday Payroll and Workday HCM.
  • Deep experience with payroll vendor reporting tools, ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow ), and time-tracking systems.
  • Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, nested logic, pivot tables). Experience with Alteryx or other automation tools is a strong plus.

• Payroll & Tax Knowledge: In-depth understanding of US labor laws, FLSA classifications, multi-state withholding, reciprocal agreements, and payroll accounting principles (GL mapping, accruals, account reconciliations).

• Problem Solving & Autonomy: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to independently investigate payroll discrepancies, reconcile large datasets, and handle ambiguous scenarios.

• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to clearly explain complex compensation and tax matters to employees and leadership.

• Certifications: Certified Payroll Professional ( CPP ) or equivalent payroll accreditation is preferred.

Why Join Okta’s Americas Payroll Team?

• Be part of a collaborative, high-impact finance and accounting organization that values innovation, automation, and continuous learning.
• Enjoy competitive total compensation, comprehensive health and retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching and ESPP), and flexible remote work flexibility.

The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in the San Francisco Bay area is between:

$100,000—$138,000 USD

Below is the annual base salary range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York and Washington. Your actual base salary will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and work location. In addition, Okta offers equity (where applicable), bonus, and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. To learn more about our Total Rewards program please visit: https://rewards.okta.com/us.

The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington is between:

$90,000—$123,000 USD

The Okta Experience

• Supporting Your Well-Being
• Driving Social Impact
• Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community

We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.

Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding please use this Form to request an accommodation.

Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.