Senior Payroll Specialist

Orbiss is a modern advisory and tax firm that helps international small and mid-sized companies expand and operate in the United States. Across accounting, tax, payroll, and transaction support, the firm partners with clients navigating the practical and regulatory complexity of doing business in the U.S. This role joins a team focused on delivering accurate, dependable payroll support that helps clients operate with confidence.

As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you will play a central role in supporting a portfolio of clients with complex payroll needs. You will combine technical payroll knowledge with strong client service, helping ensure payroll runs smoothly, issues are resolved thoughtfully, and compliance risks are identified early. You will also contribute to team effectiveness by supporting junior colleagues and helping strengthen internal processes and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end payroll processing for an assigned portfolio of multi-state clients, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Apply knowledge of hiring regulations, termination pay rules, and final paycheck requirements across multiple U.S. states.
• Manage payroll deductions and adjustments related to benefits, including prorations, retroactive deductions, and mid-period changes.
• Maintain understanding of 401(k) payroll-related processes such as contribution processing, loan repayments, and plan maintenance.
• Monitor and process payroll tax filings and resolve payroll tax notices from federal, state, and local agencies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients on payroll matters.
• Manage complex client situations autonomously and escalate to the Payroll Director when appropriate.
• Onboard new payroll clients and assist with transitions, data migrations, and system setups.
• Provide guidance to junior payroll associates and serve as a first point of escalation for routine payroll questions.
• Support the Payroll Director in refining internal processes, checklists, and best practices.
• Participate in internal training initiatives and contribute to the payroll knowledge base.
• Operate payroll platforms such as Gusto, Justworks, ADP, and Paychex, and contribute to improving payroll workflows, templates, and compliance controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-6 years of hands-on U.S. payroll experience.
• Experience working in a multi-client payroll environment such as a CPA firm, PEO, or payroll service provider, or significant multi-state payroll exposure across 10+ states.
• Hands-on experience using payroll platforms such as Gusto, Justworks, ADP, Paychex, or similar, along with confidence working with spreadsheets and payroll reports for reconciliation and audit purposes.
• Knowledge of hiring regulations, termination pay rules, and final paycheck requirements across multiple U.S. states.
• Knowledge of payroll deductions and adjustments related to health, dental, and vision benefits, including prorations, retroactive deductions, and mid-period changes, as well as 401(k) payroll processes such as contribution processing, loan repayments, and plan maintenance.
• Experience handling client payroll issues and identifying compliance risks or discrepancies before, during, and after payroll processing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience serving as the main payroll contact for clients and handling escalations independently.
• FPC or CPP certification.
• French language proficiency.

• Health Insurance paid 100% with HSA and FSA available.
• 401(k) plan with a 100% match up to 6% after 3 months.
• Flexible paid time-off policy (with a minimum of 2 weeks / year to be taken).
• Work from home friendly.