Payroll Specialist

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Specialist with 2-5 years of hands-on Workday payroll processing experience. The ideal candidate will have comprehensive end-to-end payroll process knowledge, proficiency in payroll audits, and a deep understanding of payroll taxes and other complex tax situations. The candidate must also possess strong skills in Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Workday Payroll Processing - End-to-End Payroll Management:
  
  
• Prepare and process semi-monthly full cycle US exempt and non-exempt payroll.
  
  
• Handle imputed income, garnishments, benefits, taxes, and off-cycle requests.
  
  
• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
  
  
• Handle the entire payroll process, including data entry, payroll calculation, validation, distribution, and reporting.
  
  
• Workday Timekeeping and Data Monitoring:
  
  
• Administer the electronic timekeeping system.
  
  
• Monitor the submission of approved timesheets, ensure data validity, and ensure adherence to FLSA content to/from payroll service.
  
  
• Payroll Audits: Verify the accuracy of payroll elements including base pay, bonuses, equity, commissions, payroll taxes, and various deductions.
  
  
• Tax Compliance: Ensure accurate calculation and reporting of payroll taxes, including federal, state, and local taxes. Handle complex tax situations and resolve tax issues as they arise.
  
  
• Tax and Benefit Administration:
  
  
• Establish and maintain accurate tax jurisdictions within payroll systems.
  
  
• Regularly review and reconcile payroll tax filings and deposits, coordinating with ADP to resolve discrepancies and ensure compliance.
  
  
• Ensure accurate and timely 401(k) funding and reporting, assist with annual 401(k) audits, and ensure compliance with ERISA and IRS regulations.
  
  
• Reporting: Generate payroll reports for management, finance, and HR departments. Provide analysis and insights on payroll data.
  
  
• Employee Support: Address and resolve payroll-related inquiries from employees. Provide guidance on payroll policies and procedures.
  
  
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements within the payroll function and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
  
  
• Compliance: Stay up-to-date with changes in payroll laws and regulations. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll laws.
• Collaboration: Work closely with HR, finance, and other departments to ensure seamless payroll processing and data accuracy.

Requirements:

• Experience: Demonstrated experience in payroll processing across multiple states/sites with a strong background in Workday payroll.

• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of end-to-end payroll processes, payroll audits, payroll taxes, and complex tax situations.

• Excel Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including functions, formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis. 

• Attention to Detail: Exceptional attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy in data handling and processing.

• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret payroll data and identify discrepancies.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate payroll information to employees and management.

• Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll information and employee data.

• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing regulations and processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is a plus.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field is preferred.

• Workday Certification: Workday Payroll certification is highly desirable.

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape talent solutions for how the world works today. We are a remote-first organization working together to create exciting remote work opportunities for a global community of professionals. While we have physical offices in San Francisco and Chicago, currently we also hire full-time employees in 19 states in the United States.

At the core of our vibrant culture are shared values that form the foundation of our organization. These values revolve around trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence. Our overarching mission is to create economic opportunities so that people have better lives. We foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, nurturing personal and professional growth through development opportunities, mentorship programs, and participation in Upwork Belonging Communities.

We take pride in providing exceptional benefits to our employees. These include comprehensive medical insurance coverage for both you and your family, unlimited paid time off, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. To explore these benefits in detail, as well as gain insights into our company values, working principles, and the overall employee experience, we invite you to visit our Life at Upwork page.

Check out our Careers page to learn more about the employee experience.

Upwork is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, a criminal background check may be run on a candidate after a conditional offer of employment is made.  Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.