Payroll Specialist

Role Overview

The Payroll Specialist role owns full-cycle, multi-state payroll in Rippling, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. As the company's payroll subject matter expert, this role handles internal tax compliance, new state registrations, 401(k) reconciliations, and commissions plans, while supporting the team with payroll-related client needs. The ideal candidate is a detail-driven, hands-on payroll expert with a high level of transactional accuracy, data analysis, and critical thinking toward process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Administer full-cycle payroll processing across four different pay groups, ensuring ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Process tax-related matters including opening new state accounts and responding to notices
• Accurately calculate sales commissions in accordance with multiple compensation plans
• Review and audit timesheet reports to ensure accurate payroll processing and state compliance
• Compile and manage multiple report and payment spreadsheets
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries
• Reconcile benefits deductions with actual payments including 401(K) and insurance premiums
• Create, document, and maintain a comprehensive accounting playbook to improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across financial operations
• Support internal CFO with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning
• Act as the go-to payroll subject matter expert for Attivo client payroll needs including:
• Leave of Absence calculations
• Assist with new state registrations
• Payroll compliance
• Wage garnishment/withholding
• 401(K) best practices and reconciliations

Requirements

• 2+ years ownership running end-to-end payroll through Rippling’s Payroll system
• 5+ years with US multi-state payroll processing and tax compliance
• Significant knowledge of multi-state payroll and tax considerations:
• Hourly payroll, wage and hour laws, including California
• 401(K) plan administration and annual compliance audits
• Advanced Excel skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience working in startups or high-growth companies with approximately 100–200 employees
• Prior ownership/support of post-growth cleanup initiatives
• Experience creating documentation, playbooks, and standardized operating procedures
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online, Bill.com, and Monday.com
• Familiarity with Dropbox, Gusto, Tilt, Trinet, ADP, Justworks, Deel is a plus
• Experience working in professional services organizations
• Experience utilizing workflow automation or AI-enabled tools preferred. Familiarity with generative AI tools and automation platforms strongly preferred.

Education

• CPP Certification preferred

Professional Attributes

• High level of ownership, accountability, and professional curiosity
• Expert level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Effective and concise written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated empathy and urgency when resolving payroll issues
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality
• Adaptable and comfortable in evolving, ambiguous environments

Location

• 100% Remote

Reports To: Internal CFO

Hiring Range: $40-60 per hour (depending on experience)

Position Status: Part-Time Hourly or 1099

Benefits

Benefits for part-time employees include: Paid Sick Leave, monthly electronics stipend

Final Notes