Senior Payroll Accountant, Corporate Accounting

This full-time position is hybrid based at Western Digital’s offices in Milpitas, California

We are seeking a highly experienced and self-driven accounting professional with a background in payroll. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively execute in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving business environment and possess excellent attention to detail. The Senior Payroll Accountant will report to the Senior Accounting Manager and will play a critical role in managing the Company’s US payroll accounts, including payroll related benefits, payroll taxes, and the month-end close & reconciliation process. This position will make key contributions by partnering with other functions, such as human resources, to ensure our payroll accounts are maintained appropriately. This role will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with established internal controls and prepare supporting audit schedules.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform all US payroll and payroll tax journal entries, including accounting for areas such as 401(k), deferred compensation, medical benefits, bonuses, and ESPP
• Prepare payroll & related account reconciliations on a monthly basis and ensure outstanding reconciling items are cleared on a timely basis
• Partner with other functions, such as human resources, stock plan administration, benefits, and provide guidance regarding payroll accounting matters
• Support new business or benefit plan initiatives and implement relevant new processes
• Support accounting team in month-end / quarter-end close process
• Prepare month-end payroll close presentation and related reporting activities
• Prepare and establish formal monthly and quarterly fluctuation analysis for compensation accounts
• Develop, enhance or maintain an effective internal control environment in various aspects of payroll accounting
• General understanding of terms related to payroll including garnishments, benefits, leave of absence, 401k, FSA and taxes
• Be proactive in providing recommendations regarding process improvements, improved productivity, service quality, increased internal controls and cost saving measures; and implement such approved measures
• Perform other related duties or ad hoc projects
• Work with external auditors during quarterly, interim and annual audits.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• 5+ years of payroll and general ledger accounting experience, preferably in a global publicly-traded company
• Proficiency in federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations
• Working knowledge of US GAAP and proficiency with Sarbanes-Oxley internal control compliance
• Experience working with global financial systems, preferably Oracle and SAP
• Thorough understanding of payroll systems, preferably Ceridian and ADP
• Extensive knowledge and use of Microsoft Excel and PowerBI
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and a good team player to solve problems and work with colleagues globally
• Must have the ability to execute multiple tasks, while remaining detail oriented with high commitment to quality, and able to adhere to strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships across the organization
• Passion in managing implementation of technology and executing process improvements

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
• You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.  Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.