US Payroll Analyst

Prairie Consulting Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie Consulting Services in Chicago is seeking a senior payroll contractor to support day-to-day payroll production, quarterly and year-end activities, and ensure timely, accurate processing. The role requires 5+ years of payroll experience, deep knowledge of federal/state/local tax regulations, and familiarity with payroll systems such as Workday.

Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll experience required.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Experience with payroll processing including quarterly/year-end.
• Payroll systems knowledge (e.g., Workday) preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Performs daily payroll activities to ensure timely, accurate payroll production.
• Reviews adjustment requests for proper authorization and compliance with policies and regulations.
• Responds to payroll inquiries regarding pay, adjustments, and policy impacts.
• Acquires knowledge of other team members’ payroll activities and provides back-up support.
• Analyzes policies to ensure compliance and recommends improvements to payroll processes.
• Collaborates with vendors and reviews payroll systems to reflect changes accurately.
• Monitors regulatory changes to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Skills

Payroll experience

Tax regulations

G/L payroll accounting

Workday

MS Excel

Analytical skills

Communication

Cross-functional

Multi-tasking

Team collaboration

International payroll

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Contractor will assist with day-to-day payroll production and the completion of timely, accurate, and compliant payrolls. Contractor will assist with researching and resolving complex/sensitive payroll, employment tax, ACH, and reporting related issues. Contractor will also assist the team with improving/maintaining payroll processes, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Performs daily payroll activities to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll production of assigned payrolls including quarterly and year-end activities.
• Reviews payroll adjustment requests to ensure proper authorization and compliance with payroll policies, federal, state, and local tax regulations. Advises management of appropriate corrective action when an error occurs.
• Responds to payroll inquiries to explain pay, adjustments to pay, and impact of policies, tax law and related changes.
• Acquires knowledge of other team members’ payroll activities and performs back up support as needed.
• Analyzes existing policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with federal and state tax laws and regulations. Recommends and implements modifications of existing payroll processes to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Works with vendors and/or reviews payroll systems or applications to ensure changes submitted are correctly reflected on the payroll. May be responsible for system/application testing (e.g. WD new releases) where applicable, and may participate in other payroll and process improvements projects.
• Researches and monitors regulatory and legislative changes to ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

Qualifications /Experience /Skills:

• 5+ years of payroll experience required.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local tax regulations
• Must be familiar with all aspects of payroll processing including payroll production, quarterly reconciliations, garnishments, year-end processing, tax filings, etc.
• Solid understanding of G/L, payroll accounting, and employment taxes
• Experience with International payroll
• Attention to detail, ability to work independently and collaboratively, strong organizational skills, and deadline driven
• Payroll technical/systems knowledge (e.g., Workday) preferred
• Proficient with MS office (i.e., excel)
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement
• Able to multi-task in a high paced environment
• Knowledge of other cross functional areas (i.e., HR, Finance, etc.)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills