Payroll Analyst or Senior Payroll Analyst

**Important Application Submission Information** In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, September 14, 2026 More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits. The hiring manager may elect to fill this position as a Payroll Analyst or one level higher as a Senior Payroll Analyst, dependent upon the experience of the selected candidate. Duke Energy is seeking a highly analytical and customer-focused Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for one of the nation's largest energy companies. This role is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and a positive employee experience. The Payroll Analyst partners with HR, Finance, Tax, Information Technology, and Duke Energy's payroll service provider to support payroll processes impacting a large and diverse workforce. The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, payroll tax expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted payroll subject matter expert, helping drive compliance, operational efficiency, and process modernization initiatives. **Key Responsibilities** **Payroll Operations** * Support accurate and timely payroll processing for multiple employee populations and pay cycles. * Review payroll results, investigate variances, and resolve discrepancies. * Analyze payroll transactions to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations. * Provide payroll expertise for pay corrections, special payments, and complex employee scenarios. **Compliance and Controls** * Support compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations. * Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review, validation, and reporting. * Support SOX controls and payroll compliance reviews through documentation, testing, and audit support. * Research payroll tax issues and provide recommendations for resolution. * Coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests. **Vendor Partnership Management** * Collaborate with Duke Energy's payroll vendor and service partners to ensure accurate and timely payroll execution. * Monitor service delivery and assist in resolving escalated payroll issues. * Participate in regular operational reviews and process improvement discussions with vendor partners. **Analytics and Reporting** * Prepare and analyze payroll reports for management, finance, and regulatory purposes. * Conduct data analysis to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities for process improvements. * Utilize Workday and Microsoft Excel to support payroll reporting and decision making. * Develop recommendations based on data-driven insights. **Continuous Improvement** * Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and employee experience. * Participate in system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities. * Assist in documenting payroll procedures and maintaining process documentation. * Support strategic payroll initiatives and cross-functional projects. **Key Skills and Experience** * **Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or closely related field.** * **Experience with payroll processing, payroll compliance requirements, payroll tax or closely related.** * **Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.** * **Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.** * **Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.** * **Strong written and verbal communication skills.** **Required Qualifications - Payroll Analyst** * Bachelor's degree * In addition to required degree, one (1) or more years related work experience * In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 1 plus years' related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND five (5) or more years related work experience **Required Qualifications - Senior Payroll Analyst** * Bachelor’s degree * In addition to required degree, three (3) or more years related work experience * In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND three (3) or more years related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND seven (7) or more years related work experience **Preferred Qualifications** * Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC). * Experience supporting large multi-state payroll operations. * Experience with Workday Payroll. * Experience working with third-party payroll providers. * Knowledge of payroll tax reporting and compliance requirements. * Experience supporting SOX controls, audits, or compliance programs. * Experience with reporting and analytics tools. * Utility, energy, or large enterprise payroll experience preferred. **What Sets This Opportunity Apart** * Opportunity to support payroll operations for a Fortune 500 energy company. * Exposure to complex, multi-state payroll and tax environments. * Significant partnership with HR, Finance, Tax, and external providers. * Ability to influence process improvements and modernization efforts. * Meaningful impact on employee experience and payroll compliance. **Working Conditions** * Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to Duke Energy location. * 3 days per week in the office requirement #LI-PG1 #LI-Hybrid ****Travel Requirements**** Not required ### Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) No ### Represented/Union Position No ### Visa Sponsored Position No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future. ### ### Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications. [Privacy](https://www.duke-energy.com/legal/privacy) [Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA)](https://www.duke-energy.com/legal/ccpa-opt-out-request-form) [Terms of Use](https://www.duke-energy.com/legal/terms-of-use) [Accessibility](https://www.duke-energy.com/customer-service/accessibility)