Junior Payroll Specialist

About the role

Wise is seeking a meticulous and analytically minded individual to join the dynamic environment of our global payroll team based in Hyderabad. In this capacity, you will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for the Asia Pacific region, ensuring that all employee compensation is handled with precision and confidentiality. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the strategic global transformation initiatives aimed at modernizing our financial infrastructure and operational excellence. You will be an active participant in process improvement efforts, identifying inefficiencies and proposing solutions that enhance the overall payroll lifecycle from data collection to final disbursement. Success in this position requires a proactive approach to managing complex workflows and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data integrity. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced setting, balancing operational duties with participation in larger scale system implementations and optimizations. You will serve as a critical link between regional operational needs and the broader global payroll framework, ensuring alignment and consistency across jurisdictions.

Key facts

What you'll do

Process the payroll for APAC employees with a high degree of accuracy and strict adherence to established deadlines to ensure timely payments.

Coordinate communication and data exchange with third-party vendors and service providers to facilitate seamless payroll execution and resolve any discrepancies efficiently.

Maintain and organize comprehensive payroll documentation, ensuring that historical records are complete, secure, and easily retrievable for future reference or audit purposes.

Prepare detailed payroll journals, general ledger files, and generate a variety of ad-hoc reports to support financial analysis and internal decision-making processes.

Act as a primary point of contact to support internal audit initiatives and respond promptly and accurately to inquiries from regulatory agencies regarding payroll data and compliance.

Provide active assistance in the evaluation, implementation, and transition to the Cloudpay platform, contributing to configuration, testing, and data migration activities.

Collaborate closely with cross-functional team members to cross-check payroll inputs and outputs, validating data integrity and resolving inconsistencies before final processing.

Leverage advanced functionalities within Microsoft Excel to build robust models, automate repetitive tasks, and create sophisticated pivot tables and charts for payroll analytics.

Utilize Google Docs and Google Sheets to draft procedural documentation, share notes, and collaborate in real-time on project plans and process maps with colleagues.

Monitor the payroll cycle end-to-end, identifying potential bottlenecks and taking ownership of resolving issues to minimize delays and ensure compliance.

Support the maintenance and improvement of payroll controls, contributing to the design of checks and balances that mitigate risk and enhance operational reliability.

Assist in the administration and testing of new payroll features, providing feedback from a user perspective to ensure the system meets the needs of the global team.

Participate in the collection and validation of timesheet data and other payroll inputs, working with HR and management to confirm accuracy and resolve any missing or conflicting information.

Champion best practices in data security and confidentiality, handling all sensitive employee and payroll information in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Must possess 1 to 2 years of professional experience specifically in processing India payroll within a high-growth and rapidly scaling company environment.

Demonstrate a strong and comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of payroll preparation, processing workflows, and internal auditing procedures relevant to the Indian market.

Show the capability to effectively manage multiple concurrent tasks and shifting priorities, maintaining composure and delivery under pressure and tight deadlines.

Show advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the expert use of pivot tables, complex formulas, and dynamic charts to analyze data and present findings.

Possess practical experience with Google Docs and Google Sheets for creating documents, spreadsheets, and collaborative workspaces.

Have hands-on familiarity with existing payroll software and enterprise systems, including the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new platforms.

Exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills necessary for building collaborative relationships with colleagues, vendors, and stakeholders at various organizational levels.

Be eligible to work in India without requiring any additional visa or work authorization documentation.

Be located in or be willing to relocate to Hyderabad, India, to ensure seamless integration with the existing team and office infrastructure.

Nice to have

Possess direct experience managing multi-state payroll processing within India, navigating the distinct regulatory and compliance requirements of different jurisdictions.

Practical notes

This role is based in Hyderabad, India, and requires the successful candidate to be physically present in this location.

The position is full-time, and standard working hours will apply as determined by the operational needs of the global payroll function.

No specific educational degree or formal academic background is a prerequisite for this role; we prioritize practical experience and demonstrated competence.

We place significant value on diverse professional experiences and the ability to clearly articulate your thought process, problem-solving approach, and decision-making rationale during the evaluation process.