Payroll Specialist

Jump Trading Group is committed to world class research. We empower exceptional talents in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science to seek scientific boundaries, push through them, and apply cutting edge research to global financial markets. Our culture is unique. Constant innovation requires fearlessness, creativity, intellectual honesty, and a relentless competitive streak. We believe in winning together and unlocking unique individual talent by incenting collaboration and mutual respect. At Jump, research outcomes drive more than superior risk adjusted returns. We design, develop, and deploy technologies that change our world, fund start-ups across industries, and partner with leading global research organizations and universities to solve problems.

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join our Chicago-based HR team. In this position, you will be responsible for payroll administration of multiple companies in the United States over multi-state locations and act as the back-up to international processing in the EMEA & APAC regions.

You will process payroll and perform reconciliation of reports, maintain payroll tax compliance research, and act as a liaison with the Finance department to ensure they have the required information for General Ledger and month end accounting close processing.

What You’ll Do:

• Prepare and update employee data for the calculation of multi-entity payroll processes including reviewing employee changes affecting wages, immigration work authorization, and FLSA status and ensuring all data is maintained within guidelines of internal pay policies (i.e. vacation, leave of Absences, tax withholdings, etc.) and appropriate amounts/deductions are calculated and applied to various amounts correctly.
• Execute and audit semi-monthly payroll to ensure timely and accurate paycheck from end to end process including retroactive processing, bonus payments, and regular semi-monthly wage payments.
• Complete ad-hoc off-cycle payroll payments and reporting of off-payroll benefits through on-demand payments and manual check entry as needed.
• Oversee time tracking process for nonexempt employees; prepare documentation and train employees on time tracking compliance, as needed.
• Follow internal procedures related to pre/post audits and payroll checklists, and act as a liaison between Workday vendors, associates, and any third-party providers.
• Review, audit, and reconcile payroll registers and submit funding requests. React quickly to any incorrect information and make proper adjustments and corrections as needed, and balance and audit payroll wages and tax liability by pay group on a pay-period basis.
• Prepare post payroll journal entry report that balances correctly and provide monthly reports to Accounting department.
• Troubleshoot Workday system integration connectivity issues and maintenance.
• Collaborate with HR Workday team on system related enhancements including semi-annual system release upgrade testing.
• Respond to ad-hoc report requests and follow up with employees in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with quarterly payroll tax reconciliation; respond to any queries from third party providers.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll requirements and stays current with changes in the law; may assist with audits of internal records, workers compensation, tax filings, and related documentation.
• Execute on year-end payroll activities and work with global HR team closely to make recommendations for changes in policies and procedures to streamline efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Skills You’ll Need:

• At least 3 years payroll experience with multi-state payroll experience.
• Demonstrated experience with Workday is ideal.
• Expat payroll processing experience highly desired.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Administration or related field desired.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation desired.
• Excellent communication skills with all levels of the company and demonstrated ability to build sound relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Strong understanding of benefits administration, in addition to 401k administration.
• Ability to make sound and thorough decisions after reviewing the facts and taking into consideration all perspectives.
• Possess eagerness to learn other areas of HR in order to provide back-up and cross-training when needed.
• Understanding of taxable fringe benefits, non-taxable fringe benefits, and pre and post-tax deductions.
• Knowledge in payroll related accounting procedures including payroll tax law and state regulations.
• Strong attention to detail required.
• Advanced MS Excel skills (pivot tables, macros, vlookups, etc.) .
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with experiment in dealing with conflict management.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to research, reconcile, and resolve payroll discrepancies with tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate complex information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• A self-starter, with intellectual curiosity and initiative.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects in a busy, demanding environment.
• Healthy sense of humor.
• Reliable and predictable availability.