Senior Manager, Payroll Operations, Accounting

Partners for Rural Impact

. Lead and maintain accountability for full-cycle payroll operations for a multi-state employee population .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in full-cycle payroll operations, including payroll accounting, tax administration, and compliance for multi-state employee populations. Proficient in payroll system configuration, reconciliations, and maintaining internal controls while effectively communicating payroll-related matters to stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Full-Cycle Payroll OperationsPayroll Accounting ExpertiseMulti-State Payroll ManagementPayroll System ConfigurationFederal, State, and Local Tax Administration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Payroll ProcessingPayroll ReconciliationTax AdministrationPayroll Internal ControlsAnalytical Problem-SolvingMicrosoft ExcelPayroll Accounting TreatmentEarnings and Deductions ManagementBenefit Contributions ManagementThird-Party Payroll Oversight

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationSound JudgmentConfidentiality ManagementCollaboration with StakeholdersAnalytical Thinking

Industry Keywords

Payroll OperationsEmployee BenefitsRetirement ContributionsPayroll Tax FilingsHRIS IntegrationCompliance StandardsPayroll DocumentationVendor ManagementEmployee CompensationBackground Check Compliance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and maintain accountability for full-cycle payroll operations for a multi-state employee population
Prepare, calculate, review, process, reconcile, and complete post-payroll activities
Own the operational relationship with the third-party payroll provider
Coordinate payroll system configuration, tax setup, integrations, testing, upgrades, and regulatory or organizational changes
Review earnings, deductions, taxes, benefit contributions, retirement contributions, garnishments, leave adjustments, and other payroll transactions
Process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, retroactive adjustments, supplemental payments, bonuses, unpaid leave, overpayments, and other non-routine transactions
Manage payroll corrections and off-cycle payments
Establish and maintain payroll calendars, procedures, checklists, controls, and documentation
Serve as subject matter expert for payroll-related expenses and benefits accounting
Reconcile wages, payroll taxes, deductions, benefit costs, retirement contributions, invoices, tax reports, and vendor records
Oversee federal, state, and local payroll tax administration, filings, deposits, notices, discrepancies, registrations, and year-end activities
Oversee benefit deductions, employer contributions, retirement plan activity, funding, corrections, and reconciliation
Partner with Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, vendors, and retirement plan providers to resolve discrepancies
Serve as escalation point for complex payroll questions and employee issues
Communicate payroll, tax, deduction, and benefit matters clearly to employees and stakeholders
Consider employee impact when developing payroll procedures, workflows, communications, and system changes
Support the organization’s mission through other assigned duties

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including substantial hands-on responsibility for full-cycle payroll operations
Experience leading or overseeing payroll operations for a multi-state employee population
Strong payroll accounting expertise, including knowledge of payroll-related expenses and benefits (PEBT) and accounting treatment of employee and employer payroll and benefit transactions
Experience overseeing payroll delivered through a third-party payroll provider
Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax administration
Experience reconciling payroll deductions and employer contributions to benefit carrier enrollment, retirement plan records, and invoicing
Experience with payroll system configuration, including earnings, deductions, taxes, employer contributions, benefits, and general ledger mappings
Experience developing and maintaining payroll internal controls, reconciliations, and auditing documentation
Technical expertise to evaluate payroll results, challenge discrepancies, and ensure issue resolution
Understanding of interdependencies among payroll, HRIS, benefits, retirement, timekeeping, tax, and financial systems
Analytical problem-solving skills and ability to independently analyze data
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
High discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential payroll, compensation, tax, and employee information
Reliable transportation
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
Ability to communicate and exchange information accurately
Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer software
Ability to travel independently by car and plane locally and nationally

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans
Flexible spending accounts
Employee assistance program
Life insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Retirement plan
Paid vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays
Paid parental leave
Tuition assistance
Professional development opportunities
Remote/home-office work arrangement
Occasional travel for meetings, conferences, training, or organizational events