Payroll Specialist

Plexus Worldwide•Scottsdale, AZ

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is fully responsible for the end-to-end execution of U.S. and international payroll operations. This role is responsible for ensuring payroll is processed accurately, compliantly, and on time—every cycle. You will manage U.S. payroll while independently processing all international payroll through UKG and Activ Payroll. This is more than a coordinator-level position. It requires foundational payroll expertise, analytical thinking, regulatory knowledge, and continuous professional development. You control your workflow, drive process improvements, and help build scalable global payroll infrastructure. You will work cross-functionally with HRIS, Benefits, Finance, and external vendors to ensure a seamless employee experience while maintaining strict compliance with federal, state, local, and international payroll regulations. Employee Value Proposition Significant autonomy and ownership of your function Strong culture and completely manageable work-life balance Continuous learning opportunities and leadership support Exposure to global payroll expansion and international compliance Meaningful process improvement work with visible impact Growth is self-directed — you can learn and expand your expertise as far as you choose

Requirements

3+ years of payroll processing, accounting, or related experience
Knowledge of federal and state wage-and-hour laws
Experience with integrated payroll accounting systems
Strong payroll reporting and reconciliation skills
High proficiency in Microsoft Office and payroll software
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business, HR, or related discipline
UKG experience strongly preferred
Experience in processing international payroll
Bilingual Spanish
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), or Global Payroll Management Institute certifications

Responsibilities

Analyze, prepare, and enter U.S. and global payroll data with precision
Ensure compliance with wage-and-hour laws and international payroll regulations
Process legal deductions (garnishments, levies, child support) accurately and timely
Handle manual adjustments, reversals, stop payments, and wire transfers
Assist with quarter-end and year-end processing, including W-2 and W-2c preparation
Partner with payroll vendors to establish compliant payroll processes in new countries
Maintain regulatory awareness across multiple jurisdictions
Respond to external agencies and insurance carriers regarding payroll records
Conduct regular audits of payroll and timekeeping systems
Prepare materials for internal and external audits
Create and maintain reports, queries, and analytics to support business needs
Reconcile payroll system data and ensure accurate financial reporting
Develop subject matter expertise in UKG and payroll configurations
Collaborate with HRIS to ensure system functionality aligns with business needs
Review timekeeping processes to ensure accuracy and compliance
Resolve employee payroll concerns professionally and efficiently
Deliver high-quality internal customer service
Build strong partnerships with HR, Finance, and Benefits teams
Anticipate obstacles, communicate proactively, and plan accordingly
Support occasional off-hours processing as required by payroll cycles
Maintain confidentiality of employee data and payroll records at all times