Payroll Manager

Position Summary

Focus Financial Partners is seeking a Payroll Manager that is responsible for overseeing and managing the organization's payroll functions, ensuring pay is processed on time, accurately, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role leads payroll operations, maintains payroll systems, and supports audits, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration with HR, Finance, and Compliance teams.

This role will be based in St. Louis, MO

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for all employees across multiple pay groups or locations (if applicable).
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of payroll, including wages, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and bonuses.
• Maintain payroll systems and records, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with internal policies and federal/state regulations.
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and partner with Finance on month-end close.
• Supervise payroll staff and provide guidance, training, and performance feedback.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable wage and hour laws, tax regulations, and reporting requirements (e.g., W-2s, 941s).
• Collaborate with HR on employee changes affecting payroll (e.g., new hires, terminations, LOAs).
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paychex) and ensure system accuracy and process efficiency.
• Lead or support internal/external payroll audits and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained.
• Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, policies, and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience in payroll processing, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Experience with multi-state or international payroll.
• Strong knowledge of payroll principles, tax laws, and compliance requirements (federal, state, local).
• Experience with payroll software and systems such as ADP, Workday, Ceridian, or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving ability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $100,000-$120,000.  Actual base pay could vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant's skill set.  The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.  Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. 

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Focus is a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management and related financial services firms. Focus provides access to best practices, greater resources, and continuity planning for its affiliated advisory firms, which serve individuals, families, employers, and institutions with comprehensive financial services. Focus firms and their clients benefit from the solutions, synergies, scale, economics, and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here

For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.

For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST.  AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. 

For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.  An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation.  The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.