Payroll Analyst - Remote in AZ

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Remote

About The Position

The detail-oriented and analytical Payroll Analyst with a strong accounting background will support and enhance our payroll operations. This role is responsible for payroll reconciliations, payroll accounting / journal entries, process improvement, compliance with federal and state regulations, and supporting system enhancements and testing in Workday. This role is primarily responsible for payroll accuracy, reconciliation, and accounting integrity within Workday, while also supporting analytics, automation, and emerging AI use cases.

Requirements

3 years of experience in multi-state payroll processing
2 years of experience in analysis, auditing, and process improvement
1 year of experience with accounting or financial analysis
High-School Diploma or GED
Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
Ability to apply payroll functional knowledge to data and processes to create and implement improvements
Proficient with Workday, specifically payroll and timekeeping
Financial acumen, including general accounting principles
Advanced computer skills, including Copilot, MS Office Suite
Maintain confidentiality and privacy
Willingness to dive in and research to come up with creative solutions to fix problems or streamline processes
Strong attention to detail
Ability to prioritize workload and provide timely follow-up and resolution
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple projects
Establish and maintain working relationships in a collaborative team environment

Nice To Haves

5 years of experience in multi-state payroll processing
2 years of experience with payroll accounting and journal entries
2 years of experience with Workday payroll and timekeeping modules in a mid-to-large organization.
Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, business, or related field of study
Certified Payroll Professional
Write and review business requirements, flow specifications or change requests
Proficiency with developing reporting or queries from various applications
Ability to create agentic AI to streamline processes
Strong analytical skills to support independent and effective decisions
High standard of performance to achieve aggressive goals.
Accounting principles

Responsibilities

Perform detailed payroll account reconciliations, including general ledger entries, variance analysis, and timely resolution of discrepancies
Prepare, review, and post payroll-related journal entries in accordance with accounting standards
Partner with Accounting/Finance teams to ensure payroll activity is accurately reflected in the general ledger
Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes related to payroll
Maintain audit-ready payroll records and ensure compliance with internal controls and audit requirements
Assist with internal sales processes, data, and calculations
Lead testing for Workday payroll and HRIS releases, including regression testing and user acceptance testing (UAT)
Document system design and processes for the training, reference, and education of payroll staff and employees on processes and system functionality.
Create, track, and resolve Workday tickets related to payroll issues, enhancements, and system defects
Collaborate with HRIS and IT teams to ensure system functionality aligns with payroll requirements
Analyze current payroll processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements and innovative solutions while ensuring adherence to internal controls.
Evaluate and apply AI‑enabled tools (e.g., Copilot, workflow automation, analytics assistants) to improve payroll reconciliation, audit support, reporting, and operational efficiency.
Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures and internal controls
Support implementation of process improvements, automation initiatives, and system enhancements
Maintain data integrity processes that need improvement.
Recommend improvements
Setup and maintain Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs); including working with internal and external auditors on process workflows and key audit controls
Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local payroll legislation, including wage and hour laws and tax updates
Evaluate the impact of regulatory changes on payroll processes and systems
Recommend and support implementation of changes to ensure ongoing compliance
Partner with HR, Legal, and Finance teams to maintain compliant payroll practices
Generate, analyze, and interpret payroll reports to ensure accuracy and identify trends or anomalies
Maintain/implement custom reports in Workday or other reporting tools to support business needs; audit requests such as 401k, worker’s comp and internal/external audit requests.
Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership