Senior Payroll Specialist

As a Senior Payroll Specialist at Zscaler, your main responsibilities will include processing semi-monthly payroll for both US and Canadian employees, managing equity transactions, and executing various pay runs while ensuring compliance with tax regulations. This role allows you to play a key part in ensuring the financial accuracy and well-being of our team members.

To apply for the Senior Payroll Specialist position at Zscaler, you'll need at least 5 years of full-cycle payroll experience. Preferred qualifications include experience with publicly traded companies and familiarity with payroll systems like ADP Workforce Now and Ceridian Dayforce, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

The work culture at Zscaler is fast-paced, collaborative, and inclusively designed to foster innovation and support. As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you will find yourself surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the industry, all committed to making the cloud a secure business space. Zscaler values diverse perspectives and encourages contributions from individuals of all backgrounds.

Yes, the Senior Payroll Specialist position at Zscaler is offered as a hybrid role or can be fully remote, as long as you adhere to Pacific hours. This flexibility allows you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to a leading cloud security company.

Zscaler offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to meet the diverse needs of its employees, including various health plans, vacation and sick leave, parental leave options, retirement plans, and education reimbursement. The company focuses on supporting its employees throughout different life stages.

Zscaler believes that diversity drives innovation and success. The company actively promotes an inclusive environment where all employees, regardless of their background or identity, are welcomed and valued. Zscaler's commitment to diversity and equitable practices is fundamental to its mission.

For the Senior Payroll Specialist position at Zscaler, the base salary range is between $91,000 and $130,000 USD, depending on factors such as experience and job-related skills. This range reflects a competitive compensation package aimed to attract top talent in the industry.

In answering this question, it's essential to highlight your specific experiences processing payroll across different states, noting any unique challenges and how you navigated state-specific tax laws. Provide examples of any software you've used, like ADP or Ceridian, to manage the complexities of multi-state payroll.

When asked about payroll tax compliance, detail your knowledge of federal and state withholding taxes, FICA, unemployment taxes, and any experience you have with filing tax returns. Cite specific experiences where you've ensured compliance and handled discrepancies.

Effective resolution of payroll discrepancies involves a systematic approach. Detail the steps you take, such as investigating the issue, consulting relevant data, and communicating with affected employees. Share an example where you successfully resolved a discrepancy while maintaining transparency.

In high-demand times, organization and foresight are key! Discuss your strategies for prioritizing tasks, using automated tools, and possibly implementing additional checks or involvement from team members to ensure that payroll deadlines are met without compromising accuracy.

Staying updated with payroll legislation is crucial for compliance. Mention resources you follow, such as legal websites, joining payroll associations, attending webinars, or participating in training sessions to keep your knowledge sharp and relevant.

Highlight your proficiency with payroll systems like ADP Workforce Now or Ceridian Dayforce. Discuss any advanced features you are familiar with, experiences automating payroll processes, and how you’ve utilized these systems to enhance efficiency.

Data confidentiality is vital in payroll processing. Share strategies you use to maintain confidentiality, such as securing access to payroll systems, regularly training staff on confidentiality protocols, and being cautious about sharing payroll data with outside parties.

To prepare for payroll audits, focus on the importance of thorough documentation and regular audits of your own processes. Discuss how you ensure all payroll records are accurate, up to date, and backed up, as well as how you address any issues before an external audit occurs.

Implementing a new payroll process requires careful planning. Talk about how you gather input from stakeholders, test the new processes, train team members, and monitor the rollout to ensure everything works smoothly. Provide specific details of a previous implementation for context.

When discussing challenges in payroll processing, you could talk about the ongoing legislative changes, the importance of tech integration, or security concerns. It's essential to convey your awareness of these issues and how proactive measures can mitigate their impact.