Senior Payroll Manager – Multi-State & Compliance Lead

Cooley LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Firm-paid life insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

10 holidays per year

Job summary

Cooley LLP is seeking a Payroll Manager to join the Accounting and Finance Team. The role oversees the hands-on, day-to-day execution of the firm’s payroll process to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

Some US offices will be handled directly by this role, with emphasis on multi-state payroll compliance. Responsibilities include tax filing, garnishments, and benefits deductions, plus coordination with HR for hires, terminations, and timekeeping.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive multi-state payroll experience.
• Extensive knowledge of wage and hour regulations, federal, state and local tax laws.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise HRIS/Payroll platforms: Workday, ADP Workforce Now or UKG Pro.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for US employees across all states, including remote workers.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, garnishments, and benefit deductions in the payroll system.
• Coordinate with HR for timekeeping, new hires, changes, and terminations.
• Prepare journal entries for payroll tax payments and benefit funding.
• Provide payroll reporting and audit support for year-end processes.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Workday

ADP Workforce Now

UKG Pro

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ascentis

Workday

ADP Workforce Now

UKG Pro

Job description

Cooley LLP is seeking a Payroll Manager to join the Accounting and Finance Team. The role oversees the hands-on, day-to-day execution of the firm’s payroll process to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

Some US offices will be handled directly by this role, with emphasis on multi-state payroll compliance. Responsibilities include tax filing, garnishments, and benefits deductions, plus coordination with HR for hires, terminations, and timekeeping.