Northwest Permanente is seeking a Payroll Analyst to join our Payroll Department. This role is responsible for processing bi‑weekly and ad hoc payrolls while applying strong knowledge of payroll laws, regulations, and tax implications to provide best‑practice guidance and recommendations. Daily responsibilities include executing payroll processes, performing audit procedures, developing and running payroll reports, and partnering with internal stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer service. This position also requires maintaining sensitive and confidential information with the highest level of integrity.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Enter and maintain accurate payroll data, including timesheets, direct deposits, bonuses, and wage attachments.
- Support biweekly payroll processing, manual checks, retroactive adjustments, and garnishment administration.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
- Assist with payroll tax activities such as quarterly filings, responding to tax notices, and implementing regulatory updates.
- Maintain payroll records and documentation to support audits and compliance requirements.
- Participate in payroll audits, tax reconciliations, and timekeeping reviews.
- Monitor the payroll inbox and provide timely customer support.
- Partner with HRIS to implement and test new payroll functionality within HCM systems.
- Write and test reports, analyze data flows, and identify process improvement opportunities.
- Contribute to projects that enhance payroll systems, technology, and service delivery.
- Recommend and implement process efficiencies and stay current on payroll best practices.
- Develop and document payroll procedures and provide user training as needed.
- Run and develop payroll-related reports and maintain data integrity through queries and analysis.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or related field, or four years of equivalent experience.
- At least five years of payroll processing experience.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data analysis).
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
- Experience developing reports and testing functionality within HCM systems.
- Experience maintaining time and attendance systems.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Oregon and Washington payroll regulations, including garnishments, child support, tax levies, FLSA, and related labor laws.
- Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
- Strong collaboration, organization, time management, and customer service skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) status is desired.
- Five (5) years of experience processing payroll in healthcare organization.
- Experience administering multi-state payroll is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with UKG/UltiPro is preferred.
- Experience with HR system implementation is desired.
For more information about this position, contact Courtney Johnson, courtney.l.johnson@kp.org.
About Northwest Permanente:
We are the Permanente in Kaiser Permanente. Northwest Permanente is a self-governed, multi-specialty group of 1,500 physicians, clinicians, and administrative professionals caring for 630,000 members in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Together with Kaiser Foundation Health Plans and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, we form Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest, an integrated health care program. Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation's pre-eminent health care systems, a benchmark for comprehensive, integrated, value-based, and high-quality care.
Our Northwest Permanente administrative professionals enjoy a wide range of company sponsored benefits:
- 15% employer contribution to retirement programs, including pension.
- 90% employer-paid health plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Child Care Benefits
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Paid Parental Leave
- Self-Care Days + Paid Time Off
Equal Opportunity Employer
Northwest Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.
