Payroll Accountant

About the team

The Payroll team ensures Plaid employees around the world are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with applicable regulations. We manage payroll operations across four countries and partner closely with People, Legal, Finance, Accounting, Total Rewards, and external vendors to deliver a reliable employee experience and maintain strong financial controls. As Plaid continues to scale, we are focused on strengthening compliance, improving processes, and building systems that support future growth.

Role Description

You will support the accurate and timely processing of Plaid's semi-monthly U.S. payroll while contributing to international payroll activities. Reporting to the Payroll & Stock Administration Manager, you will own key payroll accounting and compliance activities, respond to employee questions, and partner cross-functionally to resolve payroll issues. You will also help improve documentation, controls, and workflows as Plaid's payroll operations continue to scale.

Responsibilities

We're looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Accountant to support Plaid's payroll operations, accounting, and compliance. You will combine hands-on payroll processing with strong accounting fundamentals and thoughtful employee support, while helping build reliable and scalable processes across the payroll function.

- Process semi-monthly U.S. payroll and support international payroll activities, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time

- Review payroll inputs, changes, and reports for completeness and accuracy; research and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized

- Manage garnishments, payroll tax notices, and related compliance activities in partnership with internal teams and external providers

- Own the payroll inbox and provide timely, clear, and empathetic support to employees

- Partner with the People team to coordinate leaves of absence, time reporting, benefit deductions, and compensation changes

- Prepare payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for month-end close

- Support 401(k), Workers' Compensation, financial statement, and other payroll-related audits

- Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and document key payroll processes and controls

- Identify and implement process improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and scalability across payroll operations

- Build trusted partnerships across Accounting, Finance, People, Legal, and external payroll vendors

Requirements

- 2-5 years of payroll experience, including hands-on processing of multi-state U.S. payroll

- Experience using Workday Payroll

- Payroll accounting experience, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close

- Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations and the ability to research and resolve compliance questions

- Excellent attention to detail, organization, and follow-through in a deadline-driven environment

- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience partnering across teams

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with ADP SmartCompliance, NetSuite, or Canada and EU payrolls