Payroll Analyst

Location: Scottsdale, AZEmployment Type: Contract-to-Direct HireIndustry: SemiconductorCompensation: $38.46-$43.27/hour ($85,000-$90,000 annually)Schedule: 40 hours per weekReports To: Payroll ManagerAbout the OpportunityWe are seeking a Payroll Analyst with strong hands-on payroll experience to support accurate and timely payroll processing for approximately 3,500 employees across the US and Canada.This role goes beyond transactional payroll processing and requires someone who can independently research payroll issues, analyze data, resolve discrepancies, support audits and reconciliations, and identify opportunities to improve processes. The ideal candidate has experience working in a large, multi-state payroll environment and is comfortable partnering with HR, Finance, Accounting, Benefits, Tax, IT, and external payroll providers.This position also offers the opportunity to use technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.What You'll DoSupport biweekly payroll processing for approximately 3,500 employees across the US and Canada, ensuring accurate and timely payment.Research and resolve employee payroll inquiries received by email, phone, and in person.Respond to inquiries from internal teams, including HR Shared Services and Benefits.Partner with HR to maintain payroll data integrity and ensure accurate pay rates, tax withholding, and other payroll transactions.Prepare and maintain complex payroll reconciliation workbooks using intermediate-to-advanced Excel, including formulas, PivotTables, lookups, and data analysis.Reconcile payroll results, investigate discrepancies, identify trends and anomalies, and prepare audit and reconciliation reports.Support payroll-related general ledger reconciliations and resolve discrepancies between payroll records and financial reporting.Support federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance and regulatory reporting.Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2s, T4s, tax reconciliations, and required reporting.Support internal and external audits, including SOX, financial, regulatory, workers' compensation, 401(k), and state and local tax reviews.Troubleshoot payroll system issues, test system updates and enhancements, validate results, and support system maintenance.Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, integrations, testing, and year-end updates.Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency through automation, standardization, technology, AI-enabled tools, and best practices.Work cross-functionally with HR, Benefits, Compensation, Finance, Accounting, Tax, IT, and payroll vendors to resolve issues and improve processes.Maintain payroll procedures and process documentation to support consistency and business continuity.Protect confidential employee, payroll, and financial information.Perform other payroll-related projects and duties as assigned.