Payroll Analyst
University of Rhode Island
Position Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Analyst to support bi-weekly payroll processing, timecard
auditing, payroll corrections, and employee pay inquiries. The ideal candidate will have strong payroll
administration experience, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work independently while meeting
critical payroll deadlines.
This position requires close collaboration with employees, supervisors, HR, and departmental contacts
to ensure payroll is processed accurately and in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and
collective bargaining agreements.
Key Responsibilities
Process and support bi-weekly payroll activities
Review and audit employee timecards for accuracy and completeness
Research, identify, and resolve payroll discrepancies
Coordinate with departments to correct timekeeping and payroll issues
Process retroactive pay adjustments and payroll corrections
Review employee pay statements and investigate compensation concerns
Ensure payroll transactions comply with organizational policies and union contract requirements
Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation
Analyze payroll data and identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for process
improvement
Assist with payroll-related reporting and reconciliation activities
Support continuous improvement initiatives within payroll operations
Required Qualifications
Payroll Experience
Experience processing high-volume bi-weekly payroll
Experience auditing employee time records and payroll transactions
Experience researching and resolving payroll discrepancies
Experience processing retroactive pay adjustments
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Technical Skills
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Experience analyzing large datasets and reconciling payroll information
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
Ability to create and maintain payroll reports
Education & Knowledge
Some college coursework preferred; Associate's or Bachelor's degree is a plus
Understanding of payroll processes, wage calculations, and payroll regulations
Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and union payroll requirements
Understanding of how union contracts affect wages, differentials, overtime, and special pay
situations
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Workday and/or PeopleSoft payroll systems
Experience in a unionized work environment
Experience supporting payroll process improvement initiatives
Public sector, healthcare, higher education, or large enterprise payroll experience
Experience with payroll audits and compliance reviews
Ideal Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be:
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Comfortable working with large amounts of payroll data
Skilled at investigating and resolving payroll issues
Proactive in following up with stakeholders to obtain corrections and approvals
Able to communicate effectively with employees, management, HR, and payroll teams
Dependable under strict payroll deadlines
Focused on customer service and process accuracy
