Payroll Associate

The team:

The payroll team is responsible for processing employee salaries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely disbursement every pay cycle. The team manages all statutory obligations including PF, ESIC, PT, income tax, and other regulatory filings ensuring full adherence to government guidelines. The payroll team acts as the primary support channel for employees’ compensation-related queries, offering clear guidance and prompt resolutions. They maintain high standards of data accuracy and confidentiality, managing sensitive employee and financial information with utmost responsibility. Payroll works closely with HR, Finance, and compliance teams to ensure seamless processes, accurate inputs, and continuous improvements in payroll efficiency.

The role:

The Payroll Associate will support end-to-end India payroll operations by working closely with the Assistant Payroll Manager / Payroll Manager. This role is responsible for accurate payroll execution, timely input management, vendor coordination, statutory compliance, and payroll reporting. The incumbent will ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, governance, and seamless operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Operations & Input Management
  • Prepare, validate, and track monthly payroll inputs such as attendance, leave, overtime, new hires, exits, salary changes, variable pay, reimbursements, and deductions.
  • Coordinate with HR and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate payroll inputs.
  • Support complete payroll processing for India entities under managerial guidance.
  • Assist in processing monthly payroll, arrears, bonuses, incentives, final settlements (F&F), and off-cycle runs.
  • Perform payroll validations, reconcile variances, and report discrepancies before payroll sign-off.
• Payroll Vendor Coordination
  • Serve as the main operational interface for the external payroll vendor, ensuring smooth data exchange and timely issue resolution.
  • Track payroll calendars, vendor deliverables, and adherence to SLAs.
  • Review vendor outputs, reports, and statutory workings for accuracy and compliance.
  • Support vendor audits and ensure timely closure of audit observations.
• Statutory Compliance & Payments
  • Ensure accurate calculation and timely processing of statutory deductions (PF, ESI, PT, LWF, TDS, gratuity, bonus, leave encashment, etc.).
  • Collaborate with vendors and Finance to ensure timely statutory payments and filings.
  • Maintain statutory trackers, compliance calendars, challans, returns, and acknowledgements.
  • Support internal, statutory, and compliance audits by providing required payroll documentation.
• Payroll Accounting & Reporting
  • Support payroll accounting activities, including reconciliations, variance analysis, and validation of accounting entries.
  • Assist Finance with month-end and year-end closing requirements.
  • Prepare and maintain payroll MIS, dashboards, and management reports.
  • Maintain payroll trackers including headcount, cost reports, F&F tracker, statutory logs, and audit logs.
• Systems, Data & Process Support
  • Support payroll system operations.
  • Data validation and system enhancements.
  • Identify process gaps and opportunities to improve payroll efficiency and accuracy.
  • Maintain robust payroll documentation and ensure adherence to governance standards.
• Employee & Stakeholder Support
  • Resolve employee payroll and statutory queries within defined SLAs.
  • Coordinate effectively with HR, Finance, Compliance, and other internal teams to address payroll-related concerns.
  • Support the Assistant Payroll Manager / Manager in day-to-day operations and business continuity planning.

What You'll Bring:

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in India payroll operations.
• Strong hands-on experience with Indian payroll compliance and statutory filings.
• Solid exposure to payroll accounting, reconciliations, and audits.
• Experience supporting SOX controls and internal governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, SAP, Oracle or equivalent.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills with ability to manage large datasets.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, HR, Business, or related field.
• Payroll or compliance certifications are an added advantage.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and analytical skills.
• Hands-on, execution-focused, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• High level of integrity and commitment to confidentiality.