Payroll Specialist, Americas

The Team:
Morningstar's Corporate Finance team plays an essential role in supporting our company's strategic initiatives, day-to-day operations, and long-term financial health and growth. Our Payroll team plays a critical role in maintaining employee satisfaction and trust by ensuring employee are being compensated accurately and on time. Maintaining compliance with tax regulations and labor laws is also an important role of this group. The team works collaboratively with our internal and external partners to expertly execute payroll processes and to continuously improve.
The Role:
In this Payroll Specialist role, you'll execute the full Canadian payroll cycle, including processing, data entry, and validation for multiple provinces to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal and provincial laws. Key duties involve calculating wages, taxes, and benefits; reconciling payroll data with accounting; and serving as a resource for employee inquiries. The role requires strong attention to detail, proficiency in payroll software, and the ability to collaborate with HR, finance, and external agencies like the CRA. You'll also be cross trained to facilitate U.S. payroll, as a back up to our U.S. payroll team.
This position is based in Chicago.
Core responsibilities

• End-to-end payroll processing: Manage the full payroll cycle, from data entry and validation to processing and closing payroll for employees across various Canadian provinces.
• Accurate calculations: Calculate wages, overtime, bonuses, and other compensation elements accurately, including processing retroactive pay.
• Tax and benefits administration: Process deductions for taxes, benefits, and garnishments; ensure compliance with all federal and provincial laws; and administer benefits enrollments and changes.
• Compliance and reporting: Ensure compliance with provincial and federal legislation, collective agreements, and company policies.
• Reconciliation and audits: Conduct monthly, quarterly, and year-end reconciliations of payroll and tax accounts. Assist with audits by preparing data and acting as a point of contact for auditors and government agencies.
• Employee support: Act as a primary contact for employee questions regarding payroll, benefits, and their pay statements.
• Data integrity: Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records in the payroll system.

Required skills and qualifications

• Technical skills: Proficiency in payroll software (ADP, Workday), strong Excel skills, and familiarity with payroll tax and legislative requirements across Canada.
• Analytical skills: Ability to research and resolve discrepancies, perform reconciliations, and analyze data for reports.
• Attention to detail: A high degree of accuracy is critical for calculations and data entry.
• Communication skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with employees, HR, and other departments.
• Confidentiality: The ability to handle sensitive information with integrity

Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That's why we champion your wellness through a wide-range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health
  • 75% 401k match up to 7%
  • Stock Ownership Potential
  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health
  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health
  • Trust-Based Time Off
  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Bonding Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
  • Annual Education Stipend
  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health
  • Charitable Matching Gifts program
  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
  • Paid volunteering days
  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range
$74,325.00 - 126,350.00 USD Annual
Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
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