About this role
Professionals who thrive in structured environments while operating at a rapid pace will find a strong fit in this position. Perplexity seeks a diligent Payroll Analyst to support the expanding Finance and Accounting department during a period of significant scaling and global growth.
Working alongside the Payroll Manager, the incoming team member takes ownership of multi-state US payroll and assists with international cycles spanning approximately sixteen countries. Daily duties involve conducting pre- and post-payroll audits, managing global contractor payments, and coordinating closely with People Operations, Accounting, Tax, and Equity teams.
This role exists to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and timely processing as operational complexity increases. Successful candidates combine technical systems expertise with careful attention to detail, maintaining audit-ready documentation and serving as a primary contact for employee inquiries.
What you will do
- Manage day-to-day processing support for US multi-state semi-monthly payroll alongside international cycles across roughly 16 countries.
- Run the monthly global contractor payroll cycle by tracking timecard submissions, following up on manager approvals, and executing on-schedule payments.
- Reconcile benefit deductions, 401(k) deferrals, and employer matches against payroll journals to resolve discrepancies prior to paycheck posting.
- Support state-level employer tax account registration and maintenance for SUI and withholding as the organization expands into new regions.
- Assist with benefits administration, contribution monitoring, nondiscrimination testing support, and COBRA offboarding notices.
- Track Carta exercise data, apply appropriate NSO and ISO tax treatment, and prepare payroll-side entries for equity reporting.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation to support quarter-end and year-end close activities including W-2s, ACA reporting, and reconciliations.
What you need
- Bring at least four years of hands-on payroll experience, with specific background in multi-state US payroll operations.
- Demonstrate experience establishing and managing US state agency accounts, including state unemployment insurance and tax withholding maintenance.
- Possess solid working knowledge of California wage statement requirements, final pay timing rules, and meal or rest break premiums.
- Utilize hands-on familiarity with modern HRIS and payroll platforms such as Rippling, Workday, ADP, or Gusto.
- Show proficiency in detailed reconciliation work using Excel or Google Sheets to handle large datasets and payroll-to-GL tie-outs.
- Maintain clear communication skills to explain payroll and benefits topics effectively to internal staff and cross-functional partners.
Nice to have
- International or contractor payroll exposure
- Rippling platform experience
- Familiarity with equity compensation payroll including RSU, NSO, and ISO taxation
Benefits
- Offers Equity
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What tools and software will I use in this job?
Daily operations involve working primarily in Rippling for payroll processing and managing expense reimbursements through the Rippling-to-NetSuite integration. Team members also track equity data using Carta and utilize Excel or Google Sheets for reconciliations.
What is the compensation package for this role?
The salary range for this position is $90K to $125K, and the offer also includes equity.
What does the daily scope of work cover regarding international operations?
The position involves assisting with international payroll cycles across approximately 16 countries. Responsibilities also include running the monthly global contractor payroll cycle and tracking timecard submissions.