Sarah Saez Smith
Sr. Payroll Manager
Brooklyn,New York
Summary
High-level Payroll Manager with expertise in Workday and improving controls and strengthening systems for optimal performance. Well-versed in producing reports, processing high volume payrolls and evaluating department operations. Experience with handling month- and year-end closings and keeping compliant with federal, state and local tax law.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Sr. Payroll Manager
Rent The Runway
Brooklyn, New York
08.2019 - Current
- Supported Payroll Director and Controller with reconciliations and special projects
- Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes such as Cap Software and other reporting structures
- Performed routine closings, maintained clean, accurate and accessible records within the Workday platform
- Created workflows between Workday and third party providers, Fidelity, Shareworks and Health Equity
- Prepared documentation for scheduled audits
- Established and enforced internal controls, workflows and policies for tracking, reconciling and reporting on accounting activities
- Completed Monthly payroll for Ireland employees
- Applied knowledge of regulations, employment law and tax code to keep operations in compliance with applicable standards.
- Reconciled health care benefits, tax contributions and retirement accounts on bi-weekly and semi-monthly basis
- Curated a process between payroll, legal and operations to complete ACA process
- Completed all year end and quarterly reconciliation process with payroll director
Payroll Operations Supervisor
Shake Shack
New York, New York
01.2019 - 08.2019
- Works closely with the Senior Manager of Payroll, Sr. Director of Financial Operations and HR Director, as well as the Accounting and Finance team on payroll related functions
- Managed payroll data entry and processing for 10,000+ employees to comply with predetermined company guidelines.
- Ensures that SOX payroll controls are in place and operating accordingly
- Assist with processing of weekly stock exercises and annual RSU and PSU releases
- Provides training, direction and support to the payroll team
- Facilitates communication with other departments and external providers as it relates to payroll related matters
- Assists with implementation of companywide payroll initiatives
- Prepares month end journal entries, account analysis and reporting necessary for the monthly close process
- Responsible for accuracy in multistate reporting, garnishments and workers compensation
- Ensure timely and accurate filing of all federal, state, and local taxes as well as reconciliation for all tax issues
- Assist HR with completion of leaves of absence
- Provide support in quarterly and annual federal tax filings
- Acting as SME in company-wide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) initiative to implement Workday
Senior Payroll Specialist
Shake Shack
New York, New York
12.2016 - 01.2019
- Review and analyze payroll forms and reports for accuracy
- Coordinates payroll related information workflow with Operation Managers
- Follows up on payroll discrepancies and communicates issues to management in a timely manner
- Prepares ad-hoc reports and analysis as needed
Payroll Specialist
Shake Shack
New York, New York
10.2013 - 12.2016
- Process new hires, terminations, status changes, tax changes, garnishments, deductions
- Process employee banking information
- Responds to pay related inquiries from employees with a strong sense of urgency
Payroll Specialist
Paychex
Fairlawn , New Jersey
07.2011 - 10.2013
- Manage accounts for 250+ clients
- Create and amend detailed tax returns
- Researched any procedure and/or law a client may encounter by contacting state or federal agencies
- Process garnishments and employment verification requests
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, HR Management, Legal Studies
SUNY Fredonia
08.2007 - 05.2011
Skills
Payroll auditing
Extensive data review
Semi-Monthly, Bi-weekly & Weekly Payroll processing
Tax law understanding
Proficient in Workday & UltiPro
Report writing
Upgrading systems
Timeline
Sr. Payroll Manager
Rent The Runway
08.2019 - Current
Payroll Operations Supervisor
Shake Shack
01.2019 - 08.2019
Senior Payroll Specialist
Shake Shack
12.2016 - 01.2019
Payroll Specialist
Shake Shack
10.2013 - 12.2016
Payroll Specialist
Paychex
07.2011 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, HR Management, Legal Studies
SUNY Fredonia
08.2007 - 05.2011