Payroll Specialist

The role

The Payroll Specialist will perform accurate and timely payroll processing for Canada and U.S. employees. This role involves managing time collection, tax liabilities, 401(k) reconciliations, and involuntary deductions. The position also uses AI tools to improve payroll operations.

What you will do

• Act as the first point of contact for employee payroll inquiries via the ticketing system
• Support end-to-end payroll processing across Canada and U.S. employees
• Reconcile payroll registers, tax liabilities and general ledger postings
• Perform 401(k) reconciliations each pay cycle
• Process garnishments, levies, child support and other involuntary deductions
• Apply state and local tax withholding and unemployment requirements
• Support quarterly and year-end reporting including W-2 and T4 preparation
• Support taxation and reporting of employer-paid benefits and equity compensation
• Load and validate import files and prepare ad hoc payroll reports
• Use company-approved AI tools to assist with payroll audits and reconciliations

Required qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of multi-state payroll processing experience
• Experience setting up state EINs and managing state and local tax registrations and filings
• Strong working knowledge of payroll and HRIS software
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Word, Outlook
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Working knowledge of, or strong interest in, AI tools
• Ability to prioritize and work under deadline pressures
• Sound judgment in knowing when to escalate issues
• Strong knowledge of payroll principles, best practices, federal and state regulations and procedures
• Analytical skills and ability to perform detailed, technical payroll calculations
• Strong communication skills written and verbal
• Hands-on experience with SOX compliance requirements

Nice to have

• Prior experience at a publicly held company
• Workday and OneSource experience
• FPC or CPP certification

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with premiums paid in full for employees and dependents
• Retirement benefits such as a 401k plan and company match
• Short and long-term disability coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Well-being benefits
• Reimbursement for certain tuition expenses
• Parental leave
• Sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked
• Vacation time for full-time employees up to 120 hours thru the first year and 160 hours thereafter
• Around 13 paid holidays per year
• Ability to purchase The Trade Desk stock at a discount through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Eligibility for stock-based compensation grants, variable compensation-based incentives and commissions

About the company

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world’s leading independent platform for digital advertising. It has over 3,000 employees across more than 30 offices.