Senior Payroll Analyst

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, March 30, 2026

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Job Summary

The Senior Payroll Analyst will play a crucial role in managing and ensuring the accuracy of the payroll process. This position involves overseeing the preparation of payroll, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and maintaining accurate payroll records.  This role will assist as needed with day-to-day payroll activities, payroll processing tasks, tax compliance research, data analysis and varying project participation. In addition, this role will identify process improvements and implement payroll best practices.

Responsibilities

• Strong technical and functional payroll knowledge

• Partner with the Payroll vendor to execute payroll processing and conduct variance analysis

• Prepare and analyze internal and external requests for payroll data.

• Serve as a payroll liaison for HR Business Partners and other Centers of Expertise when payroll integration is required.

• Research payroll tax related issues and develop recommendations for management approval.

• Perform in-depth payroll, payroll tax, and quality assurance analysis related to pay policy & practices.

• Working knowledge of Form W-2 reporting, compliance, and mapping of data.

• Participate in analysis and recommendations related to new payroll & tax regulatory requirements.

• Partner with vendors and other COE (Centers of Expertise) to quickly resolve payroll related issues.

• Prepare response to Internal and External audit request.

• Provide payroll no damage testing and expertise on various projects as required

• Provide input for process improvements and document recommendation.

• Participate in payroll related projects as requested by management.

• Prepare written communications for employees, management, and vendor support centers

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• In addition to required degree, three (3) years minimum of related work experience

• In lieu of bachelor's degree, high school diploma AND seven (7) years minimum of related work experience

Desired Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional or Fundamental Payroll Certification (CPP/FPC)

• Experience performing in-depth payroll, payroll tax, and quality assurance analysis related to pay policy & practices.

• Ability to apply expertise of federal, state, and local tax compliance and reporting requirements related to payroll.

• Experience and working knowledge of Workday Payroll

• Preferred five (5) years experience in payroll.

• Experience to effectively manage and collaborate in an outsourced vendor relationship.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills required to analyze complex issues, develop logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft office products specifically Excel and using pivot tables

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Communicate effectively with all levels of employees and management

• Experience in working with confidential information, working independently, meeting stated deadlines, under tight timeframes and persistence in completing assignments to the end

• Experience working in a team environment and fostering good relationships with customers, teammates and vendors

• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and display effective negotiating skills when dealing with diverse customer expectations.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to Duke Energy location.

• 3 days per week in the office

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellent communication skills (written and oral).