AMER Payroll Lead

Accelerant

5d•Remote

About The Position

Accelerant is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive AMER Payroll Lead to own payroll across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The role processes and audits payroll for a portfolio of more than 20 jurisdictions, including multiple US states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and driving payroll automation in a remote-first environment. The position manages end-to-end payroll using Rippling and third-party providers, maintains accurate employee and payroll data, supports employee inquiries, prepares reports and audit documentation, assists with year-end tax filings, and leads reconciliations and journal entries. The Payroll Lead also serves as a subject matter expert on country-specific requirements, works with payroll vendors and advisors, and collaborates with the People team on employee classifications and pay rates. Accelerant describes its People function as Other-Obsessed and seeks someone comfortable with ambiguity, able to take initiative, and energized by a fast-moving, high-intensity environment.

Requirements

At least 3 years of payroll processing experience, with a strong focus on multi-country payroll.
Demonstrated experience managing payroll across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously; 8 or more countries is preferred as part of the stated experience profile.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
Good understanding of US federal and state payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements.
Experience with payroll systems and HRIS platforms; experience with Rippling, EY, Papaya Global, and SD Worx is identified as ideal.
High accuracy and attention to detail.
Experience working with third-party and in-country payroll providers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, formulas, and data validation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organization and ability to manage multiple deadlines across time zones.
Ability to work independently in a distributed team environment.
Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented mindset.
Comfort with ambiguity and shifting conditions, initiative in identifying and acting on problems, and ability to sustain output in a fast-moving, high-intensity environment.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Canadian, Caribbean, and European payroll regulations.
Experience managing multi-state US payroll and multi-country AMER payroll across 10 or more countries.
Exposure to payroll in the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, or other Caribbean jurisdictions.
Working knowledge of multiple European payroll jurisdictions.
Familiarity with benefits administration and 401(k) reporting.
Knowledge of payroll accounting and general ledger integration.

Responsibilities

Process bi-weekly and semi-monthly US multi-state and Canadian payroll through Rippling.
Process monthly Puerto Rico payroll.
Ensure compliance with applicable payroll, wage, and hour laws across jurisdictions.
Own end-to-end payroll across a portfolio of more than 20 jurisdictions in North America, the Caribbean, the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe.
Manage payroll using Rippling and third-party providers, including EY, Papaya Global, SD Worx, and local providers, while ensuring employee records are accurate.
Act as the subject matter expert and primary escalation point for country-specific payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements.
Manage relationships with local payroll vendors and advisors as needed.
Maintain accurate employee records, pay rates, deductions, and tax information as the source of truth for employee data.
Respond promptly and professionally to employee questions about pay, deductions, and benefits.
Prepare payroll reports and audit documentation for internal stakeholders and assist with year-end tax filings, including W-2s.
Lead payroll reconciliations and journal entries and proactively resolve discrepancies.
Collaborate with the People team to ensure accurate employee classifications and pay rates across jurisdictions.
Maintain confidentiality and data privacy in accordance with company policies and regulations.
Drive continuous improvement and automation of payroll processes within Rippling.