Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Rosa Cruz

Vero Beach

Summary

Detail-oriented Senior Payroll Manager with strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Seeking a full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Payroll Manager

ezCater Inc.
04.2020 - Current
  • Oversee the overall payroll functions to ensure the team continues to be compliant with applicable polices, contracts, and State and Federal laws while processing an accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll
  • Work with the team to identify, analyze, research, and resolve all payroll-related inquiries and discrepancies within the process and/or documentation to ensure accuracy of records and employee payments
  • Manage the journal entry and bank reconciliation file for accounting after payroll is finalized, and ensure we are meeting our end of month close deadlines for accounting
  • Administer the company's equity program to ensure that all equity transactions are accurately processed and settled in a timely manner for payroll processing and balance the transactions quarterly/annually with accounting
  • Review equity grants to be processed quarterly before they are submitted to the board of directors and assist with any ad hoc equity related projects
  • Ensure the payroll team continues to follow federal, state, and local payroll laws
  • Direct accountability to ensure accurate local, State and Federal payroll tax withholding settings in third party payroll system (UKG)
  • Also responsible for the state and local tax registrations to continue to be in good standing
  • Manage all internal and external audits, projects, and reconciliations along with taking ownership of compliance and controls
  • Drive payroll strategies across the team and ensure we are following SOX regulations, and meeting KPI’s quarterly/annually
  • Execute new approaches to continually improve the efficiency of the department by providing research and analysis of payroll data as necessary
  • Audit payroll deductions, earnings, taxes, and nontaxable wages
  • Assist the team as needed with research and help them resolve any variances in conjunction with third party payroll provider as necessary
  • Provide analysis of fluctuations and key employee metrics each pay period
  • Ensure user manuals for the payroll team identify our procedures and are in line with company policies
  • Continue to assist with employee needs/questions/education; collaborate and partner with other departments on development and distribution of employee education/communication initiatives.

Senior Payroll and Benefits Manager

09.2020 - 07.2022
  • In addition to the payroll functions, managed various employee benefits programs, such as group health, dental, vision and transit, accident and disability, and life insurance
  • Managed annual Open Enrollment communications and election process for the company including annual revision of our benefit and 401k plans with our third-party vendors and lead annual 401k audit and non-discrimination testing
  • Provided support to employees answering new hire questions with benefits enrollments within the HRIS
  • Maintained employee benefits filing systems and ensure benefits changes are entered appropriately in payroll system for payroll deduction
  • Recommended new approaches and procedures to continually improve efficiency of the department
  • Prepared and set up meetings designed to help employees obtain information and understand company benefits and other related incentive programs
  • Maintained compliance with federal, state, and local benefit laws and regulations.

Senior Payroll Manager

04.2020 - 09.2020
  • Managed all payroll functions to ensure compliance with applicable polices, contracts, and State and Federal laws while ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing
  • Responsible for accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reconciliations and tax filings
  • Prepared information required for internal/external audit processes
  • Administered the company's equity program to ensure that all equity transactions are accurately processed and settled in a timely manner
  • In addition to reconciling transactions, termination dates, tax withholding and reporting, and other items as required in the equity platform Carta
  • Developed and implemented best-in-class payroll policies with attention to compliance and effective internal control policies while partnering with HR on the ongoing configuration and maintenance of the UltiPro HR system
  • Performed timely analysis of payroll records, reports, and discrepancies to resolve problems as expeditiously as possible and to maintain the integrity of the payroll, HR, and accounting systems
  • Assisted with employee needs/questions/education; collaborated and partnered with HR on development and distribution of employee education/communication initiatives.

Manager of Payroll Operations

Indigo Ag
08.2019 - 04.2020
  • Processed biweekly and semi-monthly payroll for 1,300 employees with ADP software
  • Ensured monthly, quarterly, and annual processes are timely and accurate
  • Created, analyzed, and reconciled journal entries for Payroll, Bonuses (Quarterly/Annual), Vacation, Commission, Board of Directors and Benefit Accruals, and generated headcount report by end of month processing deadline
  • Initiated equity files and reporting to audit with the FP&A and Accounting teams before presenting finalized files to the board of directors quarterly
  • Prepared OPEX reconciliation and Flux comments by EOM close
  • Lead SOX, financial and tax audits, and reviews
  • Partnered with stakeholders to define and implement required guidelines and policies
  • Formalized procedures to ensure compliance with stated policies and controls, including audit
  • Continuously brainstormed with the team on ideas on how to implement processes that are more efficient by collaborating with the Human Resources team to ensure efficient and timely processing of new hires and terminations and other employee changes
  • Resolved day-to-day issues that occurred related to payroll, taxes, and accounting
  • Managed system enhancements, upgrades, testing, and ran Ad Hoc reporting & special projects as needed
  • Reconciled monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll taxes and other accounts assigned to the payroll team.

Manager of Payroll Operations

Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
08.2018 - 08.2019
  • Ensured accuracy and timeliness of all weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payrolls processed by the payroll staff, including performing payroll staff responsibilities if staff are absent
  • Supervised and supported 2 overtime-eligible payroll staff
  • Reviewed and approved all personnel/payroll transactions and certain payroll-related journal entries
  • Ensured proper reporting and compliance with required University payroll internal control procedures
  • Participated in various University and HSPH standing and ad hoc committees
  • Responsible for effective staff management for a group/team of employees, including hiring, orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive/innovative work environment
  • Managed the preparation of accurate and timely processing of payroll and reviewed audits to ensure accuracy and data integrity
  • Resolved individual and system-wide payroll issues to ensure quality customer service to employees and departments
  • Evaluated payroll procedures and systems, and recommended improvements as needed
  • Ensured financial compliance with University policies and procedures and applicable legal rules and regulations
  • Assisted with implementation projects between Wasabi (internal HSPH system) to PeopleSoft.

Senior Payroll Accountant

Wayfair, Inc.
05.2017 - 08.2018
  • Created Payroll, Bonuses (Monthly/Quarterly, and Annual), Vacation Accruals, and headcount report by end of month processing deadline for 10,000+ employees
  • Ensured Expatriate credits and hypo taxes were processed timely at the end of the month for regular/stock payroll processing
  • Analyzed payroll and equity data after the payroll was finalized to ensure accuracy for accounting, and tax needs, then recorded GL entries
  • Reconciled SVB (Silicon Valley Bank), and BOA (Bank of America) to payroll entries monthly, and general ledger accounts monthly/quarterly
  • Was responsible for reconciling payroll and bonus related balance sheet and income statement accounts from NetSuite
  • Supported Finance team by preparing journal entries, reconciled general ledger accounts and participated in financial and SOX controls audits
  • Processed State reports monthly, quarterly, semiannually and annually or as needed
  • Ensured the FP&A team had all their reconciliation questions answered timely and assisted the Human Resources team with 401k annual audit (5500)
  • Assisted with implementation projects to ensure the information was extracted correctly from UltiPro to Workday, and configured the general ledger in the new Workday system for the regular/stock payroll processing.

Equity and Accounting Associate

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
03.2016 - 04.2017
  • Assisted and backed up the Equity Manager in areas of stock plan administration and was the point of contact for employees, shareholders and brokers
  • Created and activated new monthly, annual grants (options and awards), and maintained participant accounts with Equity Edge Online
  • Calculated and maintained tax withholding and rates; coordinated with Payroll
  • Processed manual stock option exercised and 10b5-1 same-day sales with broker (Morgan Stanley and ETrade)
  • Assisted with restricted stock units released quarterly, per vesting schedule, and performed associated tax withholding activities
  • Administered ESPP - including enrollment, contributions, refunds, and purchases
  • Collaborated with Legal, Human Resources and Payroll on equity-related issues, taxes and filings, and prepared monthly and quarterly ASC 718 Stock Compensation Expense analysis
  • Performed certain monthly close activities, including generating equity reports, preparing monthly and quarterly reconciliations and preparing any equity related journal entries
  • Assisted with preparation and filing of Section 16 reports (Form 4) for insiders and preparation of year-end tax statements
  • Accountable for company related bank deposits, and preparing the journal entries.

Payroll Associate

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
04.2015 - 03.2016
  • Processed biweekly payroll for 500 employees with ADP and SAP software
  • Recorded GL Entries after payroll was processed
  • Responsible for reconciling several payroll and bonus related balance sheet general ledger accounts
  • Oversaw Payroll/W2s/Verisight (401k) Reconciliations, monthly/annual census and quarterly benefits report
  • Processed State reports monthly, quarterly, semiannually and annually or as needed
  • Supported the team with audit requests from internal/external auditors
  • Responsible for processing other payroll and deductions, including Parking/Transit, Bonuses, ESPP, 401k changes, Benefits, House Stipends, LOA’s, Severances, Tax/Address/Direct Deposit changes and Tuition Reimbursements
  • Assisted with tax and equity projects to ensure the company had been properly set up to comply with local laws and regulations in all 50 states, and ensured FUI/SUI/SDI rates were up to date.

Payroll Coordinator

Millennium Partners Sports Club Management, LLC
09.2013 - 11.2014
  • Processed/Supervised biweekly payroll for 1500+ employees with ADP and E-Time/Kronos timekeeping software
  • Deducted vacation, sick and personal hours, as well as entered all new employees, pay raises, commissions, reimbursements and holiday pay
  • Handled HR issues requiring payroll assistance
  • Spearhead team projects including audit requests from external auditors
  • Successfully improved the Payroll process/organization for the company
  • Assisted with implementation projects to assure the information was extracted correctly from Payforce to Ev5; and Kronos systems
  • Lead the payroll team in all transactional activities to ensure a smooth transition to new management company.

Payroll Assistant

Smith & Nephew
09.2010 - 09.2013
  • Processed biweekly payroll for 4500+ employees with ADP and Kronos timekeeping software
  • Worked with Treasury to ensure ESPP deductions balanced quarterly and assisted with other equity related projects
  • Team leader of the Process Improvement Team
  • Completed multiple projects with the Payroll, A/P and A/R groups
  • Assisted with implementation projects to upgrade ADP Payforce and Kronos systems
  • Lead tax projects to ensure S&N has been properly set up to comply with local laws and regulations in all 50 states and stayed up to date on tax laws nationwide
  • Supported the team with audit requests from internal/external auditors
  • Provided pay slips for Expatriates to the appropriate parties.

Payroll Coordinator/HR Assistant

Greencore, USA
06.2009 - 11.2009
  • Processed weekly payroll for 500+ employees with ADP software and E-Time
  • Assisted employees with IRS and government requests
  • Ran the GL report for the Accounting Manager (weekly)
  • Handled HR issues requiring payroll assistance.

Payroll Coordinator/ATL (Assistant Team Leader)

PayChoice
01.2007 - 10.2008
  • Processed weekly, biweekly, monthly and quarterly payroll for 200+ clients
  • Collected payrolls, invoiced clients and processed quarterlies
  • Prepared miscellaneous payments such as DOR, simple IRA, health insurance, etc.

Payroll Clerk

Lopez, Chaff & Wiesman Associates
12.2004 - 11.2006
  • Processed weekly, biweekly, monthly and quarterly payroll for 100+ clients
  • Collected payrolls, invoiced clients and prepared/processed quarterlies
  • Prepared miscellaneous payments such as DOR, simple IRA, health insurance, etc.

Education

BS Business Management -

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
12.2024

Biology -

Rivier College
Nashua, NH
01.2004

Skills

  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Visio
  • Kronos Work Force Central/Connect 60 and Navigator
  • ADP – Enterprise (Ev5), WFN, ADPR, Portal, Payforce, PayChoice, iReports, iPay, iLearn, Workday, UKG (UltiPro) and BI Reporting, PeopleSoft
  • ETrade, Computershare, Carta, RR Donnelly, NASDAQ, NASPP, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, Voya, JPMorgan
  • NetSuite, Oracle, BoA, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)
  • Health Equity, HRC, BCBS
  • Fluent in Spanish, English, ASL (American Sign Language)
  • Employee Training and Development
  • Process improvement strategies
  • Benefits Management
  • Accounting Principles
  • Auditing procedures
  • Time and Attendance Systems
  • Internal controls implementation

Certification

2013, Continuing Education of Payroll Law

Timeline

Senior Payroll and Benefits Manager

09.2020 - 07.2022

Senior Payroll Manager

ezCater Inc.
04.2020 - Current

Senior Payroll Manager

04.2020 - 09.2020

Manager of Payroll Operations

Indigo Ag
08.2019 - 04.2020

Manager of Payroll Operations

Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
08.2018 - 08.2019

Senior Payroll Accountant

Wayfair, Inc.
05.2017 - 08.2018

Equity and Accounting Associate

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
03.2016 - 04.2017

Payroll Associate

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
04.2015 - 03.2016

Payroll Coordinator

Millennium Partners Sports Club Management, LLC
09.2013 - 11.2014

Payroll Assistant

Smith & Nephew
09.2010 - 09.2013

Payroll Coordinator/HR Assistant

Greencore, USA
06.2009 - 11.2009

Payroll Coordinator/ATL (Assistant Team Leader)

PayChoice
01.2007 - 10.2008

Payroll Clerk

Lopez, Chaff & Wiesman Associates
12.2004 - 11.2006

BS Business Management -

Southern New Hampshire University

Biology -

Rivier College
Rosa Cruz