Payroll Senior Associate

Fannie Mae•Washington, DC

4d•$85,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a valued colleague on our Payroll team, you will support the accurate and timely processing of payroll for a large, multi-state workforce. Working closely with Payroll, HR, Benefits, Finance, and external partners, you will help ensure payroll operations are compliant, efficient, and employee focused. The ideal candidate brings payroll expertise, a solid understanding of payroll taxation and regulatory requirements, excellent analytical skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional service. Experience with Workday Payroll is preferred but not required. The Payroll Senior Associate role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while collaborating with a team dedicated to delivering accurate and compliant payroll operations.

Requirements

2+ years of full-cycle payroll experience.
Experience supporting payroll operations in a multi-state environment.
Strong understanding of payroll concepts, earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and leave-related payroll processing.
Experience researching and resolving payroll issues through analysis and problem-solving.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and data analysis techniques.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Shows curiosity and adaptability in learning and responsibly applying new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to reimagine how we work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday Payroll.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or progress toward certification.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxation, including multi-state payroll considerations.
Experience with payroll audits, reconciliations, compliance activities, and payroll controls.
Experience supporting payroll-related projects, process improvements, or system implementations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

Support the processing of U.S. payrolls in accordance with established schedules and service level expectations.
Review payroll transactions and validate earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and leave-related payroll impacts for accuracy.
Research, analyze, and resolve payroll issues and discrepancies by partnering with employees, HR, Benefits, Finance, and third-party vendors.
Assist with payroll balancing, audits, reconciliations, and payroll validation processes to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Support payroll tax activities, including tax notice resolution, state registrations, unemployment tax setup, and year-end reporting.
Assist with year-end payroll processing activities, including W-2 and W-2c review and validation.
Support administration of wage garnishments and other court-ordered deductions.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and company policies.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiency.
Maintain payroll documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.
Protect confidential employee and payroll information with the highest level of integrity and discretion.
Participate in testing, projects, system enhancements, and continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
Collaborate with Payroll team members and cross-functional partners to support accurate payroll and workforce data.