Payroll Analyst

Manulife

. Independently process, audit, and validate complex, high-volume Canadian payroll across multiple provinces, legal entities, pay groups, and payroll cycles .

Posted 10/26/2026full-timeWaterloo • CanadaMid-LevelSenior💰 CA$59,100 - CA$98,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Canadian payroll processing, including audits, reconciliations, and compliance with statutory requirements. Proficient in analyzing payroll data and implementing process improvements while effectively communicating complex concepts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Canadian Payroll ExperiencePayroll Audits and ReconciliationsADP GlobalView or SAP ProficiencyAdvanced Excel and Data AnalysisCanadian Payroll Certification (PLP, PCP)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingTaxable Benefit ReportingRoot-Cause AnalysisPayroll System TestingData ValidationPayroll Accounting ReconciliationsLegislated Leaves AnalysisIntegration SupportProcess AutomationRisk Evaluation

Soft Skills

Analytical ThinkingProblem-SolvingClear CommunicationCollaborationCuriosity

Tools & Technologies

ADP GlobalViewSAPPayroll Automation ToolsReporting ToolsAI Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Canadian Payroll CertificationPayroll Leadership Program (PLP)Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)

Industry Keywords

Canadian PayrollCross-Border PayrollMobile Employee BenefitsExecutive CompensationEmployee Year-End Reporting

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Independently process, audit, and validate complex, high-volume Canadian payroll across multiple provinces, legal entities, pay groups, and payroll cycles
Research and resolve complex payroll, tax, benefits, employee, and vendor issues
Investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, evaluate risks and alternatives, and implement sustainable solutions
Lead payroll activities involving executive compensation, equity, bonuses, taxable benefits, disability, leaves, mobile employees, and special payments
Lead quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including reconciliations, adjustments, audits, reporting, and amended filings
Analyze payroll impacts related to benefits programs, legislated leaves, taxable wages and benefits, imputed income, and year-end reporting
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through payroll, benefits, tax, and reporting data
Lead structured testing of payroll system, configuration, integration, and process changes
Automate, simplify, standardize, and strengthen payroll processes and controls
Troubleshoot payroll system, data, and integration issues with Technology, Benefits, Finance, Tax, vendors, and business teams
Use approved technology, automation, reporting, and AI tools responsibly while protecting confidential information and validating results
Support inbound and outbound payroll-related integrations
Build partnerships with internal functions and external vendors
Communicate complex payroll concepts in clear, business-friendly language
Share knowledge, support teammates, and contribute to continuous improvement

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of progressive Canadian payroll experience with increasing levels of responsibility
Strong analytical thinking, curiosity, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis skills
Ability to independently research and solve complex or unfamiliar payroll, tax, and benefits issues
Experience with payroll audits, reconciliations, quarterly and year-end activities, adjustments, taxable benefit reporting, and employee year-end reporting
Experience developing test scenarios and testing payroll system or configuration changes
Experience validating end-to-end results, documenting defects, and identifying unintended impacts
Experience contributing to payroll projects and documenting business requirements, decisions, risks, controls, and test results
Experience with ADP GlobalView, SAP, or a similar enterprise payroll system
Strong knowledge of gross-to-net payroll processing, statutory requirements, employer liabilities, funding, general ledger impacts, and payroll accounting reconciliations
Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently with minimal direction, and collaborate effectively across teams
Canadian payroll certification or comparable payroll designation (PLP, PCP) preferred
Experience supporting payroll operations across multiple countries preferred
Experience with cross-border or mobile-employee payroll and benefits programs preferred
Experience serving as a lead tester, project contributor, subject matter expert, mentor, or escalation resource preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible work environment
Learning and career growth opportunities
Well-being and inclusion support
Health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage
Adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits
Employee/family assistance plans
Retirement savings plans, including pension
Global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions
Financial education and counseling resources
Paid holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days
Statutory leaves of absence
Incentive programs and incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance