Roland Freimuth
Long Valley,NJ
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in managing complex payroll departments, guiding teams, and achieving objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for commitment to excellence and ensuring compliance to organizational polices and procedures as well as governmental regulations.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Director/Head of Payroll Services
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Bethlehem, PA
09.2013 - 08.2019
- Managed the activities of the Payroll Department for a Fortune 500 multi-state insurance company utilizing an in-house payroll system.
- Responsible for Payroll Operations as well as Payroll Accounting & Taxes
- Team consisted of two direct reports and five indirect reports, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
- Oversaw domestic payroll production for 6,000 active employees and 3,000 statutory employees (i.e. Life Insurance Agents) on Workday HCM system
- Oversaw pension payroll production for 5,000 retirees processed on GEAC legacy system
- Responsible for achieving payroll service standards concerning timeliness and accuracy
- Increased compliance with Federal, State and local tax laws through better utilization of system as well as education of management
- Developed payroll policy and procedures
- Led payroll process improvement and Implemented best practices
- Oversaw payroll G/L account reconciliations
- Worked closely with Treasury on payroll bank account maintenance and reconciliations
- Responsible for payroll configuration in Workday
- Integral member of project team that integrated a specialized payroll processed by another department on a legacy system with the Home Office payroll
- Transitioned responsibility of Payroll Tax function from Corporate Tax to Payroll
Freelance Payroll Consultant
Various Clients
02.2008 - 08.2013
- Clients Included Barclay's, Moretrench American Corporation & AkzoNobel (formerly ICI Americas)
- Assisted clients with all aspects of payroll operations as well as payroll tax & accounting
- Functioned as Acting Payroll Manager for a client's Canadian payroll (operations consist of retails stores and manufacturing).
- Performed duties as assigned by Corporate Controller of a construction company as they restructured their Payroll Department.
- Provided guidance as client sent U.S. employees to work in Canada.
- Provided assistance with daily activities, including data input and post processing audits for PeopleSoft and ADP payroll systems.
- Filed quarter and year-end tax returns.
- Implemented Pennsylvania Act 32 local tax compliance, especially as it related to client’s highly mobile workforce.
- Trained Payroll staff.
- Reviewed various vendors to replace current in-house time collection system; perform payroll outsourcing feasibility study.
- Tested payroll system service pack releases and worked with vendor to resolve any problems that were encountered.
- Advised client and their software vendor of upcoming tax changes.
- Reviewed procedures, practices, internal controls, processes and staffing pertaining to U.S and Canadian payrolls, and offer recommendations for short-time and long-term improvements.
- Member of Project Team that relocated Canadian payroll server to IBM hosted site in the U.S., switched server access to Citrix and upgraded database to current version of Oracle.
- Acted as Security Officer for Canadian payroll applications.
- Served as a Canadian payroll subject matter expert on HRSS Project Team that spearheaded process improvements, interface fixes, training and documentation, which lead to reduced errors and increased satisfaction amongst Canadian employees and management.
- Transitioned Canadian payroll and benefit processing from US HRSS service center back to Canada due to change in ownership
Associate Director, Payroll Taxes and General Ledger
Bear, Stearns & Co.
Whippany, NJ
06.2007 - 08.2007
Corporate Manager, Payroll
Sun Chemical Corporation
Parsippany, NJ
01.2001 - 06.2007
- Responsible for the activities of a decentralized Payroll Department for a multi-state manufacturing company utilizing an in-house payroll system
Manager, Payroll & H.R.I.S.
BMG Music (aka BMG Entertainment)
09.1997 - 01.2001
- Managed the activities of a multi-company, multi-state decentralized Payroll Department for an entertainment company utilizing an in-house mainframe payroll system
Assistant Manager, Payroll Services
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF-US)
06.1990 - 08.1997
- Responsible for all aspects of exempt, non-exempt and pension payroll operations for a multi-state manufacturing company and its subsidiaries utilizing an in-house mainframe system
Administrator, Payroll Accounting & Taxes
BMG Music (RCA Records)
02.1984 - 06.1990
- Responsible for payroll accounting and taxes for an entertainment company and its affiliates utilizing a service bureau for processing as well as oversaw processing of specialized payroll for casual labor (unionized musicians/vocalists) utilized in recording sessions
Senior Accountant, Domestic Royalties
BMG Music (RCA Records)
07.1985 - 12.1986
- Tracking of recording costs and distributing to artists statements; review/audit semi-annual artist’s statements; preparation of journal entries; preparation of Form 1042 and Forms 1042S; account coding of Royalty cost invoices; oversaw casual labor payroll
Senior Accountant, Payroll
BMG Music (RCA Records)
Lyndhurst, NJ
02.1984 - 07.1985
- Account analysis; bank reconciliations; preparation of payroll tax returns; assisted with processing biweekly/weekly payrolls using an in-house developed mainframe payroll system
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ02.1984
Skills
- Payroll Software Proficiency
- Full-cycle Payroll Management
- Compliance Expertise
- Process Improvement
- Accounting Principles
- Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills
- Software Testing & Implementation
- Error Resolution
- HRIS Proficiency
Timeline
Director/Head of Payroll Services
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
09.2013 - 08.2019
Freelance Payroll Consultant
Various Clients
02.2008 - 08.2013
Associate Director, Payroll Taxes and General Ledger
Bear, Stearns & Co.
06.2007 - 08.2007
Corporate Manager, Payroll
Sun Chemical Corporation
01.2001 - 06.2007
Manager, Payroll & H.R.I.S.
BMG Music (aka BMG Entertainment)
09.1997 - 01.2001
Assistant Manager, Payroll Services
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF-US)
06.1990 - 08.1997
Senior Accountant, Domestic Royalties
BMG Music (RCA Records)
07.1985 - 12.1986
Senior Accountant, Payroll
BMG Music (RCA Records)
02.1984 - 07.1985
Administrator, Payroll Accounting & Taxes
BMG Music (RCA Records)
02.1984 - 06.1990
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Fairleigh Dickinson University
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