Senior Analyst, Payroll N.A.

Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music, entertainment and culture, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70+ cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.teamwass.com.

Job Description

The Senior Analyst will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll, driving payroll reporting and internal/external auditing, handling escalated employee issues, and supporting various payroll-related projects. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of payroll processes and regulations. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Payroll Processing: 
  • Assist in the processing of payroll for all North American operations, including US, Canada, and Mexico.  
  • Ensure all payroll transactions are accurately processed, including new hires, terminations, salary changes, bonuses, and deductions. 
  • Audit and verify timekeeping records, resolving any discrepancies or issues. 
  • Process garnishment and wage attachments and ensure correct remittance, and termination compliance.
  • Review and process escalated employee issues from end-to-end
• Compliance & Reporting: 
  • Ensure compliance with country, federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws. 
  • Prepare and file payroll-related tax reports, including federal and state income tax, social security, unemployment, and disability contributions. 
  • Generate and distribute payroll reports to management, including payroll summaries, tax liability reports, ad hoc, and benefit deductions. 
  • Lead tax audits, reconciliations, and tracking methods for the complex multi-jurisdictional and multi-entity structure. Report weekly on issues found and solutions to rectify. 

• Data Analysis & Reconciliation: 
  • Perform internal and external audits of payroll data to ensure accuracy and completeness. 
  • Reconcile payroll accounts, journal entries and resolve any discrepancies between payroll records and financial reports, including the General Ledger.   
  • Analyze payroll trends and provide insights and recommendations to support decision-making. 
  • Perform month end, quarter end, and year end reconciliations and flux analysis timely.
• System Management: 
  • Assist in maintaining and updating payroll systems, ensuring data integrity, compliance and accuracy. 
  • Support system upgrades, testing, and implementation of new payroll software or features. 
  • Troubleshoot and resolve payroll system issues in collaboration with IT and People teams. 
• Employee Support: 
  • Serve as a point of contact for basic and escalated payroll-related inquiries from employees, providing timely and accurate responses. 
  • Educate employees on payroll policies, procedures, and benefits, ensuring they understand their pay and deductions. 
  • Assist with the administration of employee benefits related to payroll, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other deductions. 

• Project Support: 
  • Participate in payroll-related projects, including process improvements, system upgrades, and policy development. 
  • Collaborate with other departments to support cross-functional initiatives impacting payroll. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in payroll processing, analysis, or a similar role. 
• Strong understanding of payroll regulations, tax laws, and best practices. 
• Proficiency in high volume payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday) and Microsoft Excel. 
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Experience with multi-state US payroll processing is a plus. 

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred. 
• Record of implementing payroll technology solutions (Workday, ADP), SQL/Power BI skills for analytics are preferred.
• Proficiency with US, Canada and Mexico payroll processing.

Base salary range: $70-85K, plus bonus potential if applicable for role.
Actual base salary is dependent on several f