Payroll Specialist

WHO ARE WE? At UpGuard, we are replacing manual security bottlenecks with AI-driven precision. Fresh off a US$75M Series C, we are scaling our infrastructure to process 100 billion risk signals daily. This isn’t just growth; it’s a total reimagining of how the world manages cyber risk.   We build the Cyber Risk Posture Management (CRPM) platform that security teams actually love. By integrating security ratings, threat intel, and agentic AI, we empower organisations to stay ahead of an ever evolving attack surface.   We aren’t just building another tool; we’re defining a category. We provide the autonomy to ship world-class technology and the resources to do it at a global scale. Where does this role fit in? The Payroll Specialist – US & UK Operations handles end-to-end payroll processing, statutory reporting, tax agency notice resolution, and workflow optimization for US and UK entities. This role ensures general ledger accuracy, partners with the Tax Director on sales tax filings, actively drives process automations, and tracks vendor service levels. Additionally, this position serves as the primary operational backup for APAC and Global EOR payroll coverage. What will you do? US Multi-State Payroll Processing - Execute end-to-end semi-monthly payroll for US employees, ensuring compliance across multi-state tax jurisdictions. - Investigate and resolve state and local tax agency notices directly with tax authorities or through ADP. - Resolve any payroll-related queries from employees or internal stakeholders. UK Payroll & Compliance - Manage the relationship with the external UK payroll provider, overseeing monthly payroll runs and related tasks. - Ensure monthly HMRC tax reporting (FPS and EPS) is completed accurately and on time by the provider. - Oversee pension updates, contributions, and compliance reporting handled by the provider. - Resolve any payroll-related queries from employees or internal stakeholders. Accounting & Reconciliations - Prepare, log, and reconcile monthly journal entries and accruals across all assigned entities. - Ensure accurate payroll-to-GL balancing and support month-end financial close activities. Auxiliary Support - Assist the Tax Director with monthly, quarterly, or annual sales tax US follow up and related compliance tasks. Automation Execution & Vendor Tracking - Operationalize automated workflows and proactively identify manual touchpoints for process optimization. - Maintain operational logs tracking recurring vendor issues and vendor response times to inform management assessments. Cross-Coverage Support - Act as the Primary Backup (#1) for the Payroll Specialist covering Australia, India, and Employer of Record (EOR) platforms as needed. What will you bring? - Strong experience in US multi-state payroll processing, ADP platforms, and UK payroll compliance (HMRC FPS/EPS and pensions). - Basic knowledge of accounting principles, payroll journals, and account reconciliations. - Experience resolving state/local tax agency notices. - Exposure to sales tax filings or willingness to assist the Tax Director. - High attention to detail with strong Excel/Google Sheet and process automation skills. - Ability to work night shifts in Philippine Time (PHT) to support US and UK business hours. - Monthly Lifestyle subsidy: Use this for financial, physical, and mental well-being - WFH set-up allowance: To ensure you have the right environment to work in, we will help you get set up within your first 3 months at UpGuard - $1500 USD annual Learning & Development allowance: To support your career development, all team members will be able to expense development opportunities against this allowance - Annual leave: PTO plus two additional UpGuardian leave days to give you time to recharge your batteries. - 18 weeks paid Parental Leave: Irrespective of parenting role - Personal Leave Allowance: This includes sick & carer’s leave - Health Insurance - Fully remote working environment: While we have physical offices in Sydney & Hobart, we do not mandate compulsory attendance - Top-spec hardware: All team members will be provided with top-spec laptops for their role - Generative AI subsidy: UpGuard provides paid subscriptions for all team members to access generative AI tools to support their work. UpGuard is a Certified Great Place to Work® in the US, Australia, UK and India, establishing its position as a leading global technology employer. 99% of team members agree that UpGuard is a great place to work! Apply now to find out why!   As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.   Please Note: Not all roles can be performed from the United States. Please check your specific job listing to confirm its advertised location. If the role you are applying for is listed as based in the US, we are currently only able to support hiring in the following locations: CA, CO, FL, IL, LA, MA, MD, MO, OR, PA, TX, WA, and DC.   Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check and reference checks. Also, please note that at this time, we cannot support candidates requiring visa sponsorship or relocation.