Sr. Payroll Specialist

About Stem - Driven by human and artificial intelligence – Stem is unlocking energy intelligence.

Stem is a global leader reimagining technology to support the energy transition. Turning complexity into clarity, and potential into performance.
We help asset owners, operators and stakeholders benefit from the full value of their energy portfolio by enabling the intelligent development, deployment, and operation of clean energy assets. Our integrated software suite, PowerTrack, is the industry standard and best-in-class for asset monitoring, supported by professional and managed services, under one roof. Meant to tackle challenges as seamlessly as possible, Stem shows the information needed clearly and accurately and helps harness raw data to inform actionable insight. With global projects managed in 55 countries – from Germany to Japan and across North America – customers have relied on Stem for nearly 20 years to maximize the value of their clean energy projects.

Stem’s culture embodies diversity & inclusion beyond the traditional facets of gender, ethnicity, age, disabilities, and sexual orientation to include experience, personality, communication, workstyles, and more. At our core, Stem is at the momentous intersection of clean energy and software technology where diverse ideas, experiences, and professional skills converge to make the inclusive culture we have today. Together, we are turning old school thoughts about software and energy into progressive, collaborative, and innovative solutions. By joining our team, you will be collaborating with data scientists, energy experts, skilled salespeople, thought-leading executives and more from a range of backgrounds. This intersection of ideas, beliefs, and skills is what makes us unique enough to lead the world’s largest network of digitally connected energy storage systems.

What we are looking for:

Stem is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our India People team. This role is focused on processing payroll transactions, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and maintaining accurate payroll records for our India-based employees. If you are a meticulous professional with strong analytical skills and a commitment to accuracy, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process monthly payroll for India employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.
• Review and validate payroll data including salary changes, bonuses, deductions, benefits, and statutory contributions (PF, ESI, PT, TDS).
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with HR team to process new hires, terminations, and employee data changes in payroll systems.
• Prepare and submit statutory compliance reports including PF returns, ESI returns, PT returns, and TDS filings.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, tax deductions, and salary components in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with payroll reconciliation activities and support month-end close processes.
• Navigate within the Workday HRIS environment and extract payroll-related data for analysis and reporting.
• Support internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and evidence as requested.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR teams to ensure alignment on payroll-related matters.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities including Form 16 preparation and annual compliance reporting.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to streamlining payroll operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Note: The responsibilities are subject to change as needed based on the company's goals and the candidate's expertise.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Core Skill #1: Strong knowledge of Indian payroll processing, including statutory compliance requirements (PF, ESI, PT, TDS, LWF).
• Core Skill #2: Proficiency in payroll systems and HRIS platforms.
• Core Skill #3: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills to interact with employees and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain data security.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Experience in processing payroll data files, bank files, and payroll reconciliation reports.

Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in payroll processing or accounting operations in India.
• Experience working with international organizations or shared services environments.
• Familiarity with multi-currency and multi-entity payroll operations.
• Knowledge of Indian labor laws and employment regulations.
• Proven track record of maintaining high accuracy in payroll processing with minimal errors.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Payroll certification or professional qualification in payroll management is a plus.

Stem, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.