ASHLEY MURPHY
Petal,Mississippi
Summary
Senior Payroll Specialist with extensive experience managing end-to-end payroll operations, payroll reconciliations, system implementation, testing, process improvement, and cross-functional coordination. Experienced in U.S. multi-state payroll and Canadian payroll supported through third-party payroll vendors, with a strong understanding of payroll data, business rules, compliance requirements, and payroll system processes. Leverages AI-enabled tools to streamline repetitive payroll activities, research and reconciliation workflows, identify discrepancies, improve documentation, and reduce manual administrative effort. Experienced in testing and implementing system changes, validating payroll results, troubleshooting discrepancies, and developing processes that improve payroll accuracy and operational efficiency.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Payroll Specialist
Klaviyo, Inc
Boston, USA
10.2023 - Current
- Manage end-to-end biweekly payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees, including new hires, terminations, garnishments, retroactive payments, overtime, deductions, and payroll adjustments.
- Review and approve payroll after completion by the primary payroll processor, performing final validation of payroll data, calculations, adjustments, deductions, and reconciliations before payroll is finalized.
- Perform detailed payroll reconciliations and period-end balancing, identifying discrepancies and researching variances before payroll is finalized.
- Partner with HR and cross-functional stakeholders to validate employee data, compensation changes, benefits deductions, and other inputs affecting payroll accuracy.
- Coordinate with third-party payroll vendors and systems supporting payroll operations, including issue resolution, data validation, updates, and ongoing process requirements.
- Support U.S. multi-state payroll and Canadian payroll processes, working with third-party providers to ensure payroll information is accurately transmitted, processed, reviewed, and reconciled.
- Assist with payroll system implementations and process changes, including testing, validation, documentation, and employee training.
- Apply AI-enabled tools and automation techniques to streamline recurring payroll research, reconciliations, documentation, data review, and other administrative workflows, reducing manual effort and improving turnaround time.
- Use analytical and problem-solving skills to investigate payroll discrepancies, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.
- Develop and maintain detailed payroll procedures and documentation to promote consistency, accuracy, and audit readiness.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of employee payroll information while ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
- Prepare payroll reports and reconcile payroll activity against bank statements and supporting records.
- Collaborate with external auditors and internal stakeholders by providing payroll documentation, reports, and supporting information.
- Stay current with payroll tax, deduction, and regulatory changes and evaluate their impact on payroll processes.
Sr. User Acceptance Testing Coordinator/Closing Team Lead
Homepoint Financial Company
, USA
10.2020 - 09.2022
- Coordinated testing schedules for mortgage processing and underwriting teams.
- Developed testing plans to evaluate software functionality and compliance standards.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders to address testing requirements.
- Oversaw quality assurance processes for system releases and updates.
- Analyzed test results to identify defects and recommend improvements.
- Collaborated with IT teams to ensure system integration met business needs.
Wholesale Support Specialist II
Cardinal Financial Company
, USA
10.2019 - 10.2020
- Assisted clients with mortgage inquiries and documentation requirements.
- Collaborated with teams to resolve customer service issues promptly.
- Provided training and guidance to new support staff members.
- Developed and updated training materials for customer support processes.
Title & Escrow Officer/Trust and Estate Legal Secretary
Luckett Land Title, Inc.
Hattiesburg, MS
03.2015 - 05.2018
- Used legal title searches to give attorney title commitment with property history.
- Helped attorneys plat property and confirm or correct legal descriptions through scrivener affidavits.
- Supported closings for residential and commercial properties.
- Reviewed existing training materials and developed new job aids, outlines, and related resources.
- Conducted onboarding training for new staff.
- Planned, coordinated, and ran office events onsite and offsite.
- Maintained legal calendar, scheduled appointments and interviews, and sent reminders for court appearances.
- Handled sensitive and proprietary information with discretion and confidentiality.
Skills
- Payroll software proficiency
- Payroll management and policies
- Payroll training and auditing
- Employee relations and compliance
- Bi-weekly payroll processing
- Multi-state payroll expertise
- Team collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking ability
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Interpersonal communication
- Effective time management
- Ability to work under pressure
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Garnishment processing
- Recordkeeping procedures
- Time and attendance tracking
- Internal audit coordination
- Team leadership
- Payroll tax filings
- Payroll training
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Payroll Specialist
Klaviyo, Inc
10.2023 - Current
Sr. User Acceptance Testing Coordinator/Closing Team Lead
Homepoint Financial Company
10.2020 - 09.2022
Wholesale Support Specialist II
Cardinal Financial Company
10.2019 - 10.2020
Title & Escrow Officer/Trust and Estate Legal Secretary
Luckett Land Title, Inc.
03.2015 - 05.2018