# Senior Payroll Specialist

**Company:** [Celonis](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/celonis)
**Location:** Raleigh, NC, North Carolina
**Role:** Finance & Accounting
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Adp Workforce Now, Ukg Payroll, Workday, Excel, Us Payroll Tax, Canadian Payroll, Flsa, Payroll Compliance, Generative AI, Payroll Automation, 401(K), Rrsp, Workday Hris, Payroll Reconciliation, Garnishments
**Posted:** 2026-08-10

> Own end-to-end US and Canadian payroll operations for a multi-entity workforce, covering processing, tax compliance, audits, reconciliations, and employee support. The role requires 5+ years of multi-state and multi-province payroll experience, strong systems expertise, and an AI-focused approach to process improvement.

## Job Description

## Payroll Processing & Operations (US & Canada)
- Lead end-to-end semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll processing for US and Canadian employees, including exempt, non-exempt, hourly, and salaried workers.
- Process complex payments, including equity tax withholding for NSOs, ISOs, and RSUs; bonuses; commissions; retroactive pay; terminations; severance; and off-cycle runs.
- Partner with Service Delivery on hires, transfers, compensation adjustments, leaves of absence, and terminations.
- Calculate and process statutory deductions, garnishments, court orders, 401(k) and RRSP contributions, and benefit withholdings.

## Compliance & Tax Management
- Ensure compliance with US federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, FLSA overtime regulations, and labor standards.
- Manage Canadian payroll compliance across Ontario and British Columbia, including EI, CPP/QPP, EHT/CNESST, and ROE issuance.
- Partner with external payroll vendors and tax accountants on quarter-end and year-end processes, including US W-2/1095-C auditing and Canadian T4, T4A, and RL-1 filings.
- Support internal and external payroll, benefits, and financial audits, including 401(k), workers' compensation, and tax authority notice audits.

## Process Improvement & Systems
- Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and scale payroll processes across HRIS, time-tracking, and accounting systems.
- Audit payroll inputs and outputs systematically to maintain a near-zero error rate.
- Reconcile payroll tax accounts and ledger entries with Finance and Accounting.
- Leverage generative AI and automation tools to optimize multi-country payroll workflows, draft employee communications, and accelerate tax and compliance research.

## Employee Experience & Collaboration
- Serve as the primary contact for employee inquiries about paychecks, withholdings, tax forms, and deductions.
- Maintain comprehensive payroll process documentation, standard operating procedures, and compliance controls.
- Work cross-functionally with Human Resources, Benefits, Finance, Accounting, Treasury, and other stakeholders.

## Requirements
- 5+ years of hands-on experience independently running both US and Canadian payroll in high-growth or mid-to-large multi-state and multi-province environments.
- Deep expertise in US payroll tax mechanics, including multi-state withholding, FLSA rules, and fringe benefits.
- Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll mechanics, provincial employment standards, and ROE processing.
- Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now, UKG Payroll, and Workday.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including analysis, reconciliation, auditing, and validation of large payroll datasets.
- AI-first mindset and experience using generative AI and automation tools for process optimization.
- Ability to research payroll issues independently, evaluate options, exercise sound judgment, and recommend practical solutions while maintaining confidentiality.
- Exceptional accuracy, attention to detail, integrity, organization, time management, and written and verbal communication skills.

## Preferred Certifications
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
- Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) via the National Payroll Institute.

## Compensation & Benefits
- Full-time employees receive Restricted Stock Units and merit-based refresh grants.
- 24 weeks of fully paid parental leave for primary carers and 12 weeks for supporting carers.
- Unlimited PTO in applicable regions and generous PTO globally.
- Flexible hybrid work model.
- Learning, mentorship, well-being, mental health, volunteering, and inclusion programs.

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