Payroll Associate

Indygo • Indianapolis, IN

5d • $60,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Associate supports accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for IndyGo employees, including reviewing time and pay data, processing transactions, administering deductions and garnishments, reconciling payroll records, and resolving employee payroll questions. Working closely with the Manager of Payroll, Human Resources, Finance, department leaders, and IndyGo's payroll service providers, this position ensures payroll transactions comply with applicable laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, and internal controls. The role requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, responsiveness, and attention to detail. This position exercises discretion and independent judgment in the day-to-day administration of payroll matters of significance.

Requirements

• Two (2) or more years of payroll processing, payroll administration, accounting, or related experience required.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices, deductions, garnishments, reporting, and basic accounting principles, including applicable collective bargaining and regulatory requirements.
• Strong numerical, analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated accuracy handling high-volume financial and employee data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office; ability to learn payroll, timekeeping, ERP, and financial systems, including Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines within established payroll schedules.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, with a commitment to customer service and timely issue resolution.
• Sound judgment and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and financial information.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in interpreting and applying payroll policy, regulatory, and collective bargaining requirements to non-routine situations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• Experience processing payroll in a complex, multi-department, unionized, public sector, transportation, or similarly regulated environment preferred.
• Experience with ADP payroll system, timekeeping, ERP, and other financial systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processes regular and off-cycle payrolls accurately and on schedule, reviewing time, pay authorizations, deductions, and adjustments for accuracy and completeness before processing.
• Coordinates with the Accounting Department on off-cycle payroll processing.
• Reviews and validates timecard information and identifies missing, incomplete, or inconsistent information requiring correction.
• Independently analyzes complex payroll issues, determines appropriate resolution strategies, and authorizes corrective payroll actions within established authority limits.
• Exercises discretion in applying IndyGo policy, tax regulations, and collective bargaining agreement provisions to non-routine payroll situations not explicitly addressed by established procedure.
• Analyzes, prepares, reviews, and enters payroll-related journal entries, along with supporting documents, into our enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Performs payroll reconciliations, reviews payroll reports, and supports payroll-related general ledger activity, month-end, year-end, and audit activities.
• Works with IndyGo's third-party payroll administrator and internal partners to resolve processing issues, and prepares reports and documentation for Finance, Human Resources, auditors, and other stakeholders.
• Leads payroll process improvement initiatives, assesses impacts of regulatory and operational changes, and develops recommendations for implementation.
• Administers payroll deductions, garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other court-ordered withholding, reviewing legal documentation and monitoring payments.
• Processes garnishment, insurance, savings plan, and related transactions in our enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Reviews employee banking, tax withholding, and related documentation for completeness, communicating with employees when corrections are needed.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for employees and leaders on payroll, deductions, timekeeping, direct deposit, tax forms, and garnishment matters, independently resolving the majority of inquiries and non-routine issues by interpreting applicable policy and collective bargaining provisions; escalates only legal or policy questions not addressed by existing policy or precedent to the Manager of Payroll for discussion.
• Communicates payroll requirements, deadlines, and documentation needs clearly, and partners with Human Resources and department leaders to resolve payroll and timekeeping issues.
• Handles sensitive employee and financial information with discretion and maintains strict confidentiality.
• Interprets and applies federal, state, and local payroll laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies to complex or unique situations requiring independent judgment.
• Identifies recurring errors, control gaps, or process issues and brings them to the Manager of Payroll; supports payroll tax reporting and internal/external audits as needed.
• Authority to identify and correct payroll processing errors within established internal control limits without case-by-case pre-approval.
• Recognizes, recommends, and helps implement improvements to payroll accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and system processes; participates in system testing and cross-functional projects with Finance, Human Resources, and Operations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on payroll compliance matters and guides leaders, Human Resources, and Finance regarding payroll practices, policy application, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of payroll controls and recommends changes to mitigate compliance, financial, and operational risk.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Voluntary medical, dental, and vision coverage (effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment)
• On-site wellness clinic for employees and their families
• Retirement plans (401A and 457B)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free IndyGo transportation for employees and their families
• Eligibility for the Federal Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree