Senior Payroll Specialist

Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

What you can expect as our Senior Payroll Specialist

You are a hands-on, detail-oriented team member responsible for the accurate, timely, and confidential processing of Perkins’ biweekly payroll in Workday. Working closely with Finance & Accounting, People Operations, managers, and external partners, this role handles end-to-end payroll operations, timekeeping audits, general ledger reconciliations, year-end reporting, and compliance.

How you will make an impact:

Payroll Operations & Workday Management

• Process biweekly payroll, off-cycle payments, retro-adjustments, garnishments, and deductions from initial validation through final confirmation.
• Utilize Workday Payroll functionality to research transactions, run reports, maintain audit trails, and resolve data discrepancies.
• Partner with People Operations and IT on Workday system updates, testing, and process enhancements.

Accounting, Reconciliations & Compliance

• Reconcile payroll registers, clearing accounts, taxes, and benefit/retirement deductions (401k, 403b, 457b).
• Working with the General Accounting team on payroll journal entries, accruals, headcount, and financial reports for month-end/year-end close and budgeting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws; support W-2/W-2c processing and quarterly filings.
• Prepare audit schedules and documentation for annual financial, retirement plan, and workers’ compensation audits.

Process Improvement & Service

• Respond to employee and manager payroll inquiries with clear, responsive, and confidential service.
• Identify control gaps or manual workarounds; implement practical workflow improvements and maintain current desk guides.
• Maintain strict internal controls, data security, and segregation of duties.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive, hands-on end-to-end payroll processing experience required.
• Direct, hands-on experience using Workday Payroll for processing, reconciliations, and reporting required.
• Strong background in general ledger entries, account reconciliations, and intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills required.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, discrete handling of confidential data, and excellent communication abilities.
• Experience in nonprofit, education, human services, or complex multistate environments preferred.

The following shared salary range is what Perkins reasonably expects, in good faith, to pay for the position. The applicable range could differ based on experience and qualification.

Perkins offers a comprehensive benefits package for part time and full time employees, including:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Wellness programs available.

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Employer-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance

• 401(k) Plan with employer match

• Education Benefits: Tuition reimbursement day one

• Paid Time Off

• Extras: Employee Recognition Programs, EAP, legal services, referral bonuses, credit union access, pre-tax MBTA passes and more!

Perkins is a mission-driven community that supports your well-being at work and beyond. We are located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. View the Perkins Notice of non-discrimination.

About Us

Through Perkins’ core programs and services, we work to fulfill our mission of serving children and young adults with multiple disabilities and their families around the globe, as well as the educators, professionals and researchers who support them, by focusing on innovation and excellence in educational services, accessibility and professional development.

At Perkins, diversity and inclusion are at the core of our mission and we firmly believe that people with different backgrounds and experiences bring unique and necessary perspectives. If you are interested in an opportunity and your past experience doesn’t match every requirement listed in the job description, we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply. You may be a great fit for this opportunity or others at Perkins.