Junior Payroll Analyst
Cherokee Federal
This job at a glance
- Who can apply
- New grads and up to 2 years · Diploma
- Must know
- AuditingHelp deskTaxStakeholder managementExcelMicrosoft Office
- Nice to have
- Accounting
- Work
- On-site in McLean
- Pay
- Not stated by the employer.
- Skill demand
- Auditing58%Tax28%Stakeholder management3%of 103 similar entry-level jobs posted in the US this week
- Listed
- Nov 6, 2026 · still open
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Position Summary
The Jr. Payroll Analyst supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll by performing payroll data entry, reviewing employee information, responding to routine payroll inquiries, maintaining payroll records, and assisting with payroll audits and reconciliations. This position works closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Benefits, Timekeeping, and other internal teams to ensure payroll information is complete, accurate, and processed in accordance with established procedures and deadlines.
Key Responsibilities
- Support weekly, biweekly, off-cycle, and other payroll processing activities.
- Review and enter payroll transactions, including deductions, earnings, adjustments, and other employee payroll updates.
- Review payroll data and supporting documentation for accuracy before processing.
- Assist in pre- and post-payroll audits and identify discrepancies requiring correction or escalation.
- Monitor payroll inboxes and ticketing systems and respond to routine employee and manager inquiries within established service-level expectations.
- Research payroll questions and escalate complex tax, compliance, system, or calculation issues to Payroll Analysts or Payroll leadership.
- Assist with processing off-cycle payments, manual checks, returned payments, stop payments, and direct deposit corrections.
- Assist with employee overpayment tracking and recovery activities.
- Maintain accurate payroll records, documentation, trackers, and supporting files.
- Review timekeeping and payroll data for missing, incomplete, or potentially inaccurate information and coordinate corrections with appropriate stakeholders.
- Support payroll-related audits by gathering documentation and responding to information requests.
- Follow established payroll procedures, internal controls, and data privacy requirements.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, banking, tax, garnishment, and other sensitive information.
- Perform other payroll-related duties and special projects as assigned.
Requirements & Tech Stack
- Entry-Level experience in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and other Microsoft Office applications.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- 0–2 years of payroll, HR, accounting, finance, or related administrative experience preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively under strict payroll deadlines.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 1–2 years of payroll, HR, accounting, finance, or related administrative experience.