Payroll Business Analyst

Job Summary

The Payroll Reporting Analyst supports payroll operations through advanced reporting, payroll system administration, and configuration management. This role combines payroll expertise with business intelligence (BI) reporting to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and efficient system functionality. The analyst will develop reporting solutions, manage payroll system configurations, review system interfaces, and support system changes and annual benefits enrollment activities.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Reporting & Analytics

• Develop, maintain, and deliver payroll reports using advanced excel functions/macros, BI tools and payroll reporting platforms.
• Build and develop dashboards and analytical reports to support payroll operations, finance, HR, and compliance teams.
• Analyze payroll data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Support ad-hoc reporting requests from internal stakeholders.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity between payroll systems and reporting tools.

Advanced Excel & Data Management

• Utilize advanced Excel capabilities including pivot tables, Power Query, complex formulas and macros to streamline payroll reporting and validation processes.
• Create automated validation tools to identify payroll discrepancies, tax issues, and data inconsistencies.
• Develop standardized payroll reporting templates and automation tools used across payroll operations.
• Manage large datasets from multiple systems and ensure data accuracy and integrity

Payroll System Administration

• Serve as a primary administrator for the payroll system, managing system configuration, maintenance, and ongoing operational support.
• Manage payroll configuration elements including earnings codes, deduction codes, PTO and accrual codes, benefit deductions and payroll policies and system parameters.
• Configure and maintain state and local tax codes in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Maintain system tables, mappings, and configuration settings required for payroll processing.
• Document system configurations, procedures, and changes.

Payroll System Changes & Enhancements

• Support the implementation and testing of payroll system changes, upgrades, patches, and enhancements.
• Coordinate change management activities including testing, validation, and deployment of payroll system updates.
• Partner with HRIS, IT, and payroll teams to implement system improvements and new functionality.
• Perform system testing and validation to ensure payroll accuracy after system updates or configuration changes.

Interface & Data Integration Management

• Review, monitor, and troubleshoot payroll interfaces between HRIS, timekeeping, benefits, and other integrated systems.
• Investigate and resolve interface errors and data discrepancies.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to maintain and enhance system integrations.
• Conduct testing for interface updates and data integration changes.

Payroll Configuration & Setup

• Set up and maintain earnings codes, deduction codes, and PTO accrual and usage codes.
• Configure and maintain payroll tax settings including state, local, and special tax jurisdictions.
• Support payroll configuration for new entities, locations, or organizational changes.
• Ensure proper mapping of payroll elements across integrated systems.

Benefits Enrollment Support

• Support payroll activities related to annual benefits enrollment.
• Configure and update benefit deduction codes and payroll mappings during open enrollment periods.
• Test and validate benefit deduction changes to ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Partner with HR and Benefits teams to implement benefit plan updates within the payroll system.

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Ensure payroll configurations comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Support payroll audits and documentation requests.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll reporting, automation, and system processes.
• Develop and maintain documentation for payroll system configuration, reporting tools, and operational procedures.

Qualifications Required

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of payroll systems, payroll reporting, or payroll analytics experience.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel, including:
  • Pivot tables and advanced formulas
  • Power Query
  • Macros and VBA automation
• Strong experience with payroll data analysis and reporting.