Payroll Manager

Keenfinity • Burnsville, MN

12h • $100,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing and executing all payroll operations across the United States and Canada, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with all applicable federal, state/provincial, and local regulations. This position requires a strategic thinker who can strengthen payroll processes, compliance, systems, and internal controls — while remaining deeply hands-on in payroll execution. The Payroll Manager will lead payroll processing, reconciliations, compliance oversight, and reporting while driving continuous improvement. This role may also play a key role in system implementations and transitions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 7+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state, multi-entity U.S. payrolls
• Experience processing payroll in a multi-entity environment
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, tax regulations, and reporting requirements in the U.S.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Deep understanding of payroll processes, controls, and compliance
• Ability to manage multiple payroll cycles and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• High level of discretion and confidentiality
• Strong reconciliation and analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.
• Ability to operate both strategically and operationally.
• Requires prolonged sitting and frequent computer use, including typing, data entry, and screen-based tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Canadian payroll (federal and provincial requirements).
• Prior experience managing or mentoring payroll staff.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll system implementations or migrations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or equivalent certification [Competencies, skills, education & experience required to perform the essential functions of this position].

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a scalable payroll strategy across legal entities in the U.S. and Canada.
• Ensure compliance with federal, multi-state, local, and Canadian provincial payroll regulations.
• Design and maintain strong internal controls to mitigate payroll risk.
• Lead payroll-related audits and ensure audit readiness.
• Partner with Finance and HR leadership to align payroll with compensation strategy, benefits administration, and workforce planning.
• Evaluate payroll systems and vendors; recommend improvements or enhancements.
• Process and validate payroll processing for different legal entities across U.S. and Canada
• Ensure accurate calculation and processing of wages, overtime, bonuses, deductions, and benefits
• Maintain payroll records and ensure data integrity across systems
• Review and validate timekeeping, overtime calculations, bonuses, commissions, benefit deductions, and garnishments.
• Ensure accurate payroll funding and timely employee payments.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and general ledger tie-outs.
• Ensure full compliance with all applicable U.S. federal, state, and local payroll laws, as well as Canadian federal and provincial regulations
• Oversee payroll tax filings, remittances, and reporting in both countries
• Monitor regulatory changes and implement updates to payroll practices as needed
• Support internal and external audits, including preparation of required documentation
• Oversee U.S. and Canadian year-end reporting (W-2s, T4s, etc.).
• Ensure compliance for wage and hour compliance.
• Act as a key stakeholder in any implementation of a new HRIS system and/or payroll system transitions
• Evaluate current payroll processes and recommend improvements and/or automation for efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Partner with HR, Finance, and IT to ensure seamless integration between systems
• Implement best practices to support growth and organizational complexity.
• Establish and document standard operating procedures and internal controls
• Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance, HR, and leadership teams
• Reconcile payroll data with general ledger and support month-end/year-end close processes
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries
• Provide guidance and oversight to payroll support team members, including potential supervision of direct reports
• Ensure timely communications go out to employees and stakeholders as appropriate

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager