Senior Payroll Specialist

Arctic Cat Inc.; Plymouth (MN); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Arctic Cat Inc. in Minnesota seeks a Senior Payroll Specialist to oversee full-cycle payroll across multiple sites (Twin Cities, Thief River Falls, St. Cloud).

You will ensure accurate, timely payroll delivery while complying with federal, state, and local regulations, partnering with HR, Finance, and employees on total rewards initiatives. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, analytical skills, and experience with HRIS/payroll systems (Paylocity), Excel-based reporting, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience.
• Multi-state payroll experience with strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., Paylocity).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to audit and reconcile complex data.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with payroll reporting.

Responsibilities

• Administers and executes full-cycle payroll processing for a multi-state, multi-location workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Reviews and audits payroll data including timekeeping records, earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings to ensure completeness and accuracy prior to final processing.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations, continuously monitoring legislative changes and implementing necessary updates to processes and systems.
• Collaborates with Finance to support payroll-related tax filings, account reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.
• Processes payroll adjustments and off-cycle payments, including but not limited to bonuses, retroactive pay, corrections, and special compensation items.
• Maintains and administers payroll and HRIS systems, including employee data entry, system configuration, testing, upgrades, and issue resolution.
• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of employee data across payroll, HRIS, and benefits systems through ongoing maintenance, validation, and reconciliation activities.
• Coordinates payroll-related benefits administration, including the accurate processing of employee deductions, employer contributions, and vendor reconciliations.
• Supports employee benefits enrollment processes, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and eligibility updates.
• Leads open enrollment activities, including system setup, data validation, employee communications, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
• Partners with Human Resources to administer payroll impacts related to leaves of absence, ensuring accurate handling of pay, benefits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Responds to employee inquiries regarding payroll, tax withholding, deductions, and benefits, delivering timely, accurate, and professional customer service.
• Prepares and analyzes payroll, tax, and benefits-related reports to support internal stakeholders, audits, and compliance obligations.
• Develops, documents, and maintains payroll procedures and internal controls, identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing best practices.
• Supports total rewards programs and cross-functional initiatives, collaborating with Human Resources and Finance to enhance compensation, benefits, and overall employee experience.

Skills

Full-cycle payroll

Multi-state payroll

Payroll tax compliance

Excel

Payroll reporting

HRIS Paylocity

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Accounting/Finance

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Arctic Cat is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to support the Human Resources team at one of our locations in the Twin Cities, Thief River Falls, or St. Cloud. In this role, you will oversee the full-cycle payroll process across multiple sites, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. As a key partner to HR, Finance, and employees, you will contribute to payroll operations, benefits administration, and broader total rewards initiatives. This position requires strong attention to detail, analytical expertise, and a dedicated focus on maintaining data accuracy and integrity.

• Administers and executes full-cycle payroll processing for a multi-state, multi-location workforce, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Reviews and audits payroll data including timekeeping records, earnings, deductions, and tax withholdings to ensure completeness and accuracy prior to final processing.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations, continuously monitoring legislative changes and implementing necessary updates to processes and systems.
• Collaborates with Finance to support payroll-related tax filings, account reconciliations, and financial reporting requirements.
• Processes payroll adjustments and off-cycle payments, including but not limited to bonuses, retroactive pay, corrections, and special compensation items.
• Maintains and administers payroll and HRIS systems, including employee data entry, system configuration, testing, upgrades, and issue resolution.
• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of employee data across payroll, HRIS, and benefits systems through ongoing maintenance, validation, and reconciliation activities.
• Coordinates payroll-related benefits administration, including the accurate processing of employee deductions, employer contributions, and vendor reconciliations.
• Supports employee benefits enrollment processes, including new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, and eligibility updates.
• Leads open enrollment activities, including system setup, data validation, employee communications, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
• Partners with Human Resources to administer payroll impacts related to leaves of absence, ensuring accurate handling of pay, benefits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Responds to employee inquiries regarding payroll, tax withholding, deductions, and benefits, delivering timely, accurate, and professional customer service.
• Prepares and analyzes payroll, tax, and benefits-related reports to support internal stakeholders, audits, and compliance obligations.
• Develops, documents, and maintains payroll procedures and internal controls, identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing best practices.
• Supports total rewards programs and cross-functional initiatives, collaborating with Human Resources and Finance to enhance compensation, benefits, and overall employee experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing.
• Multi-state payroll experience with strong knowledge of payroll tax regulations.
• Experience with HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., Paylocity).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to audit and reconcile complex data.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with payroll reporting.