Senior Payroll Specialist

Wise; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Wise in Austin is hiring a Senior Payroll Specialist to join our global Payroll Team. You will own end-to-end payroll cycles, primarily focused on US payrolls, while supporting international payrolls as needed.

The role reports to the Americas Payroll Lead and requires strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to process improvements. Ideal candidates have 3+ years’ hands-on in-house payroll experience, advanced Excel skills, and proficiency with Workday Payroll.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience handling end-to-end in-house payroll.
• Experience processing US multi-state payrolls with federal, state, and local rules.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to learn new payroll software quickly.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or HR.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll cycles with focus on US payrolls and deadlines.
• Ensure data integrity by compiling, double-checking inputs, and submitting to vendors.
• Generate payroll outputs, GL journals, and ad-hoc reports for management.
• Maintain audit trails and documentation for all processed cycles.
• Partner with third-party payroll vendors and tax advisors to improve accuracy.
• Collaborate with the payroll team and cross-train across regions.
• Resolve payroll inquiries from employees and internal teams per SLAs.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws; support audits.

Skills

US payroll

Workday Payroll

Excel

Data validation

Education

University degree in Accounting/Business Admin/HR

Tools

Workday Payroll

Advance Payroll software

Payroll systems

Job description

We're currently hiring for a Senior Payroll Specialist based in Austin to join our global Payroll Team.

We're looking for a payroll superstar, with a keen eye for accuracy, attention to detail and a desire to share your payroll expertise and knowledge with our Global Payroll Team.

Reporting to the Americas Payroll Lead, you'll have above-average understanding of US Payroll and experience with international payrolls,, its overall function, and how our team provides excellent service to others. You'll be responsible for the accurate, effective, and timely processing of your multiple payrolls/ countries for each pay period.

This exciting role will join a team responsible for the overall global payroll, including process, compliance, audit and reconciliation across multiple countries for Wise.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end payroll cycles: Execute daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and ad-hoc payroll tasks to ensure timely processing ahead of strict deadlines, with a primary focus on US payrolls.
• Data integrity & submission: Take full ownership of compiling, double-checking, and submitting accurate payroll inputs to third-party providers, ensuring payroll outputs perfectly balance with source inputs.
• Reporting & GL management: Generate and review critical payroll outputs, including pre- and post-payroll journals, General Ledger (GL) files, and custom ad-hoc reports.
• Documentation: Maintain meticulous historical payroll files and comprehensive audit trails for all processed cycles.
• Vendor management: Partner with third-party payroll vendors and tax advisors to maximize accuracy, minimize errors, and drive processing efficiencies.
• Cross-functional support: Collaborate with the wider Payroll team and the Senior Payroll Lead to provide transaction support and cross-train across different regions to ensure team redundancy.
• Query resolution: Manage first- and second-line payroll inquiries from employees, internal teams, and external providers, ensuring strict adherence to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Regulatory compliance: Ensure absolute compliance across all allocated locations with international, federal, state, and local payroll tax laws.
• Audit support: Lead internal audit preparations and directly respond to regulatory agency inquiries and notices.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changing global payroll regulations and compliance standards, serving as a regional expert for the organization.
• Continuous improvement: Drive efficiencies in current workflows and contribute to implementing new processes.
• Strategic input: Contribute actionable insights toward team goals, KPIs, operational efficiencies, and the future scaling of the global payroll function.
• Standard operating procedures: Develop and document robust, detailed processes to ensure consistent, high-quality payroll execution as Wise continues to grow.

3+ years of hands-on experience utilizing Workday Payroll, specifically for running payroll cycles, inputs, data validation, system troubleshooting, internal audits, and supporting implementations or upgrades.

A minimum of 3+ years of direct, hands-on experience handling end-to-end in-house payroll (including inputs, validations, corrections, and reconciliations) within a high-growth, product-led, or technology company.

Proven experience processing complex U.S. multi-state payrolls, with a deep understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, data validation, formulas, and large data sets) along with a strong aptitude for mastering new payroll software quickly.

Demonstrated capability to navigate ambiguity, thrive in fast-paced environments, and independently develop innovative solutions amid shifting priorities.

Nice to haves

• Familiarity with international payroll processing outside the U.S., particularly in regions like Mexico, Brazil, Europe, or Canada.
• Prior experience within a fintech, SaaS, or international public tech environment (e.g., NASDAQ-listed companies).
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent payroll certification.

Education: A university degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources.

Find out more about our benefits in our Austin location.

For everyone, everywhere. We're people building money without borders - without judgement or prejudice, too. We believe teams are strongest when they are diverse, equitable and inclusive.

We're proud to have a truly international team, and we celebrate our differences.

Inclusive teams help us live our values and make sure every Wiser feels respected, empowered to contribute towards our mission and able to progress in their careers.

If you want to find out more about what it's like to work at Wise visit Wise.Jobs .

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