Payroll Analyst

Job Title: Payroll Analyst – II

Duration: 12 Months (with possibility of extension)

Location: Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday onsite | Monday & Friday Work from Home)

Position Summary

The Payroll Analyst - II will be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing and support activities using Workday Payroll for a large, multi-state organization. This role involves handling payroll transactions, ensuring accuracy in payroll files and reports, supporting audits, managing complex payroll scenarios, and delivering excellent service to employees and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end payroll processing and corrections for assigned areas using Workday Payroll.
• Review and validate payroll files (e.g., Payroll Reconciliation File, Bank File) and reports generated internally or by vendors; approve for final processing.
• Support pre-payroll and post-payroll activities, including data validation, master data quality checks, and time & payroll data completeness.
• Handle complex payroll scenarios such as terminations, Leave of Absence (LOA), overpayments, retroactive adjustments, severance, and maternity leave.
• Conduct payroll audits, reconciliations, and support year-end payroll activities including tax reporting and W-2 processing.
• Manage ServiceNow (SNOW) case management for employee and manager payroll queries.
• Work closely with Time Tracking systems (Workday & UKG) for accurate data integration.
• Generate reports, analyze large datasets in Excel, and perform root cause analysis for payroll errors.
• Support payroll integrations, system testing, and special projects as needed.
• Maintain strong audit trails, documentation, and compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws across multiple states.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Treasury, and other internal teams to resolve payroll-related issues.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field (preferred).

Experience:

• 3–5 years of progressive payroll experience, preferably in a large organization (20,000 employees) operating across multiple U.S. states.
• Hands-on experience with the Workday Payroll system would be preferred
• Strong experience in multi-state payroll processing and knowledge of U.S. labor laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience in payroll audits, validations, reconciliations, and error resolution.
• Experience with case management tools, preferably ServiceNow (SNOW).

Technical Skills:

• Advanced Excel proficiency (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, formulas, and large data handling).
• Working knowledge of time tracking systems (Workday Time, UKG preferred).
• Experience supporting payroll integrations and vendor file processing.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

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At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws.