Senior Payroll Specialist

About ACA:
 

ACA Group is the leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) advisor in financial services. We empower our clients to reimagine GRC and protect and grow their business. Our innovative approach integrates consulting, managed services, and our ComplianceAlpha® technology platform with the specialized expertise of former regulators and practitioners and our deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape.

Location – Pune - 3 Days Hybrid

Experience - 5-8 Years in Payroll

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist/Senior Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll operations for India. The ideal candidate is a subject-matter expert in India payroll and statutory compliance, with direct, hands-on experience helping organizations adjust to new Labour Codes and revised income tax regimes.

This role requires a detail-oriented professional and ensures accurate and timely payroll processing, statutory compliance, vendor management, and employee support, with a strong understanding of India payroll regulations, payroll systems, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• India Payroll Management
  • Manage end-to-end payroll processing for employees in India, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
  • Validate payroll inputs including new hires, exits, promotions, transfers, bonuses, incentives, reimbursements, tax elections, flexi elections, and statutory deductions.
  • Ensure compliance with all Indian labor laws and statutory requirements, including: * Provident Fund (PF), Employee State Insurance (ESI), Professional Tax (PT), Labour Welfare Fund (LWF), Income Tax (TDS), Gratuity and other applicable regulations
  • Coordinate monthly payroll reconciliations and maintain payroll records and reports.
  • Support payroll audits and statutory audits by providing required documentation and reports.

• Payroll Governance & Compliance
  • Ensure adherence to internal controls, company policies, and local regulatory requirements.
  • Lead the organization’s readiness and compliance efforts for India’s new Labour Codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions) as they are rolled out and notified by state.
  • Assess the impact of new Labour Code and tax regime changes on compensation structures, payroll calculations, benefits, and statutory contributions, and drive the changes needed to stay compliant.
  • Advise leadership and Corporate Total Rewards on the compliance implications of old vs. new income tax regime elections and related employee communications.
  • Track legislative developments and proactively flag compliance risks and required process changes.
  • Drive payroll process improvements and standardization initiatives.
  • Maintain confidentiality and security of employee payroll data.
  • Perform payroll-related audits, compliance reviews, and reporting activities.

• Employee Support & Stakeholder Management
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related employee queries.
  • Collaborate with HR, Finance, Tax, Benefits, Compensation, and external payroll vendors.
  • Provide payroll analysis, reports, and insights to business stakeholders as needed.
    
    

• Systems & Reporting
  • Utilize HRIS and payroll systems effectively for payroll administration and reporting.
  • Prepare monthly payroll reports, variance analysis, reconciliations, and management dashboards.
  • Support payroll system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities when required.

• Required Qualifications
  
  
  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, Finance, Commerce, Accounting, or related field.
  • 5-8 years of India payroll experience.  Demonstrated, hands-on experience leading compliance efforts tied to India’s new Labour Codes and the new income tax regimes
  • Deep knowledge of Indian payroll legislation, taxation (TDS), and statutory compliance (PF, ESI, PT, LWF, Gratuity).
  • Experience managing payroll vendors and third-party payroll providers.
  • Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll systems. Workday and ADP Celergo preferred.
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and payroll reconciliations.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
  • High attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

• Preferred Qualifications
  
  
  • Experience working for multinational corporation in a centralized corporate function,  supporting assigned geographic regions.
  • Exposure to payroll operations across APAC, EMEA, and/or Americas regions.
  • Experience in payroll transitions, process improvement, or automation initiatives.
  • Knowledge of international payroll regulations and mobility/payroll taxation concepts.

• Key Competencies
  
  
  • India Payroll Administration
  • India Statutory Compliance
  • Payroll Vendor Management
  • HRIS & Payroll Systems
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Process Improvement
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Audit & Compliance
  • Attention to Detail

What working at ACA offers:
 

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. Our Total Rewards package includes medical coverage fully funded by ACA for employees and their family as well as access to Maternity & Fertility and Wellness programs. ACA also provides Personal Accident Insurance, Group Term Life Insurance, Employee Discount programs and Employee Resource Groups. You’ll be granted time off for designated ACA Paid Holidays, Privilege Leave, Casual/Sick Leave, and other leaves of absence to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

What we commit to:
 

ACA is firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, which applies to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotions, training, discipline, terminations, layoffs, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and all other terms and conditions of employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable law.