Sr Payroll Analyst

ERCOT; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

ERCOT, based in Taylor, TX, seeks a Senior HR Payroll Analyst to ensure payroll integrity across states. You will process semi-monthly payrolls in Workday, validate timecards for hourly staff, and reconcile data for 401(k)/457(b) and IRS limits.

You will partner with Benefits and Audit teams, support quarterly tax filings, and participate in Workday testing during semi-annual releases, while maintaining compliance and accuracy in all payroll activities.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressive payroll administration experience with ERP/HRIS (Workday).
• Strong knowledge of IRS rules, regulations, and reporting.
• Experience configuring, reporting, and troubleshooting Workday Payroll.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end semi-monthly payroll processing and year-end reconciliation.
• Validate hourly timecards and correct discrepancies.
• Analyze payroll data, reconcile payments, deductions, and 401(k)/457(b) contributions.
• Resolve payroll issues and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Prepare quarterly tax reports and monitor IRS annual limits.

Skills

Advanced Payroll

Workday Payroll

Audit & Compliance

Education

Bachelor's in Business Admin

Tools

Workday Payroll

MS Office

Job description

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career.

ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Job Summary

The Senior HR Payroll Analyst plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of payroll operations across multiple states. This position is charged with processing, analyzing, and reconciling semi-monthly payrolls for employees, utilizing Workday business processes to streamline workflow and maintain compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing: Oversee the end-to-end processing of semi-monthly payrolls. Ensure that all payroll transactions are completed timely, accurately, and in accordance with established procedures. Process year-end reconciliation and reporting.
• Timecard Validation: Conduct thorough validation of timecards for hourly employees to guarantee accurate compensation. This includes reviewing entries for errors, inconsistencies, or omissions and making necessary corrections.
• Data Analysis and Reconciliation: Analyze payroll data outputs to identify patterns, discrepancies, or potential issues. Reconcile payroll records to ensure all payments, deductions, 401(k)/457(b) contributions, annual IRS limits, and adjustments are accurate and accounted for.
• Issue Resolution: Proactively detect and resolve discrepancies or errors in payroll processing. Collaborate with relevant teams and stakeholders to address issues promptly and prevent recurrence.
• Required Reporting & Annual Limits: Reconcile and submit quarterly tax reports and amendments. Ongoing awareness and comprehension of annual IRS limits pertaining to taxes, benefit plans, and 401(k) accounts.

Additional Job Duties

• Demonstrate meticulous attention to detail and urgency, balancing priorities and requests with accuracy. This includes managing multiple tasks efficiently while ensuring precision in all payroll-related activities.
• Work with the Benefits team to process benefit deduction changes, process short-term disability payments, and assist with open enrollment audits.
• Assist employees with payroll and timecard inquiries, delivering exceptional customer service. This involves resolving issues, answering questions, and providing support to all staff regarding payroll matters.
• Collaborate with internal and external auditors for annual Workers Compensation, General Liability, Finance, and Payroll audits. Support is provided throughout the audit process to ensure all documentation and data are readily available.
• Participate in Workday HCM/Payroll testing for semi-annual releases. Testing ensures system updates and enhancements are implemented correctly and efficiently.
• Review and update Corporate Standards and Operating Procedures relevant to payroll.
• Manage relationships with payroll fulfillment vendors; reconcile payroll cycle invoices and coordinate quarterly and annual payroll tax filings. This includes ensuring invoices are accurate and taxes are filed in a timely manner.
• Support New Hire and Internship onboarding meetings and assist with other HR projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Advanced Payroll Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in payroll administration, with a strong understanding of IRS rules, regulations and reporting.
• Workday Payroll Experience: Extensive experience working with Workday Payroll, including business process configuration, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Audit and Compliance: Proven track record in supporting audit and compliance initiatives, ensuring all payroll activities adhere to legal and organizational standards.

Required Experience

• Candidates must have a minimum of five years of progressive experience in payroll administration. This background should include analytical responsibilities as well as demonstrated proficiency with ERP and HRIS systems, specifically Workday Payroll.

Technical Skills And Software Proficiency

• Applicants are expected to possess extensive experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Additionally, familiarity with accounting workflows is essential.

Education Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration or a closely related field is required.
• Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and professional experience that equates to a major in these fields may also be considered.

Certification Requirements

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) – Preferred
• Workday Pro Payroll – Preferred

WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at a minimum of 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time.

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range

$74,000 - $102,000