Role Summary
The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing and statutory payroll compliance for India operations. This role requires strong hands-on payroll execution, deep understanding of Indian payroll laws, and close coordination with HR, Finance, and external consultants to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Payroll Processing
- Execute end-to-end monthly payroll including:
- Salary processing
- New joiners, exits, F&F settlements
- Variable pay, incentives, bonuses
- Ensure accurate calculation of:
- Earnings, deductions, reimbursements
- Leave encashment, gratuity, notice pay
- Process payroll within defined timelines with zero tolerance for errors
- Prepare payroll outputs for review and approval (pay registers, summaries, variance explanations)
- Payroll Statutory Compliance (Core Requirement)
- Handle India payroll statutory compliances, including:
- PF (Provident Fund) – calculation, challans, ECR filing
- ESI
- Professional Tax
- Labour Welfare Fund
- Income tax (TDS on salary) – computation, reconciliation, quarterly returns (24Q), Form 16
- Ensure statutory payments and filings are accurate and within due dates
- Maintain reconciliation between:
- Payroll registers
- Statutory filings
- Finance / GL postings
- Coordinate with tax / payroll consultants and monitor work done by them
- Payroll Accounting & Controls
- Coordinate with the team for:
- Payroll journal entries
- Salary and statutory accruals
- Balance sheet reconciliations (PF, ESI, TDS payable, provisions)
- Support monthly close by providing payroll schedules and explanations
- Maintain audit‑ready payroll documentation and support internal/external audits
- Compliance Monitoring & Risk Management
- Track changes in:
- Labour laws
- Income‑tax rules
- Payroll‑related notifications
- Proactively flag compliance gaps and risks
- Assist in implementing changes due to:
- New labour codes
- Policy updates
- System changes
- Payroll Systems & Process Improvement
- Work on payroll tools / portals (ADP)
- Ensure master data accuracy and access controls
- Support parallel runs, migrations, or payroll vendor transitions
- Document payroll SOPs and strengthen process discipline
- Employee & Stakeholder Support
- Handle payroll‑related employee queries professionally
- Ensure queries are resolved through defined channels (shared mailbox / ticketing)
- Coordinate with HR for data accuracy (CTC, benefits, exits)
Skills & Competencies
Mandatory
- Strong Indian payroll compliance knowledge
- Hands‑on experience in salary structuring and TDS computation
- Ability to interpret payroll‑related provisions of Income‑tax Act and labour laws
- High attention to detail and control mindset
Good to Have
- Experience working with payroll vendors or shared service models
- Exposure to payroll audits
- Experience in multi‑location payroll
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Commerce / Finance / Accounting (CA‑Inter / MBA preferred but not mandatory)
- 3–6 years of hands‑on payroll and payroll compliance experience
- Experience in a professional services / corporate environment preferred
What Success Looks Like In This Role
- Payroll processed accurately and on time, every month
- Zero statutory delays or penalties
- Clean payroll reconciliations and audit observations
- Strong ownership, minimal follow‑ups, and high process discipline
