Senior Finance and Payroll Analyst (Exempt)

We are seeking a highly skilled Finance and Payroll Analyst with strong quantitative expertise and advanced technical capabilities in data analysis, Excel, and automation. This role is responsible for analyzing complex financial and payroll data, improving financial processes, and building scalable, automated solutions that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and insight, and supporting strategic decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate combines deep analytical thinking with hands-on experience in data manipulation and process optimization, and thrives in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Analyze large, complex finance and payroll datasets to identify trends, discrepancies, and actionable insights.
2. Design, build, and maintain advanced financial and payroll models using Excel and other data tools.
3. Develop automated reporting solutions and dashboards to streamline recurring finance and payroll processes.
4. Partner with Finance, Payroll, HR, and Operations teams to support data-driven decision-making.
5. Perform payroll audits, reconciliations, and variance analysis to ensure accuracy and compliance.
6. Identify inefficiencies in current workflows and lead process improvement initiatives to increase speed, accuracy, and scalability.
7. Build and optimize data pipelines for payroll and financial data, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
8. Translate complex data into clear, concise insights and recommendations for stakeholders.
9. Support budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning with detailed data analysis.
10. Document processes, data definitions, and reporting methodologies to support standardization and scalability.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
2. 5–8+ years of experience in data analysis, finance analytics, payroll analytics, or related roles.
3. Advanced Excel skills (e.g., complex formulas like INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, Power Query, large dataset handling, and automation).
4. Strong mathematical and analytical problem-solving skills.
5. Extensive experience with data manipulation and working with large datasets.
6. Proven track record of driving process improvements and implementing automation solutions.
7. Strong understanding of payroll processes, data structures, and controls.
8. High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
9. Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
2. Familiarity with payroll systems (e.g., Paylocity, ADP, Paychex, or similar).
3. Experience building automated workflows using tools such as Power Automate, or similar.
4. Knowledge of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) processes.
5. MBA and/or relevant certifications (e.g., CPA, CFA, or analytics certifications) are a plus.

Key Competencies

1. Advanced quantitative analysis and critical thinking
2. Data manipulation and transformation
3. Financial and payroll data expertise
4. Process improvement and optimization
5. Automation and efficiency building
6. Advanced Excel and data tooling
7. Attention to detail and accuracy
8. Cross-functional collaboration
9. Strategic thinking and business acumen

Exempt Role Statement

This position is classified as exempt and requires the consistent exercise of discretion and independent judgment in matters of significance related to finance, payroll, compliance, and reporting.