Payroll Specialist

Role Overview

Location: Cork - NETGEAR's EMEA Headquarters

Work Model: Hybrid (3 days on site)

Reporting to: Payroll Manager

Role Overview:

NETGEAR is seeking a highly detail-oriented and experienced Payroll Specialist to join our dynamic team. This role is responsible for supporting end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time, and in compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

The Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in payroll processing, audits, reconciliations, issue resolution, and maintaining strong internal controls. This position partners cross-functionally with HR/People Operations, Finance, Benefits, and external payroll providers to deliver a seamless payroll experience and uphold the highest standards of accuracy, compliance, and service excellence.

Payroll processing experience for US is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support end-to-end payroll processing for payrolls, including validation of inputs, audits, and timely submission/approval.

• Maintain and validate payroll data changes, including new hires, terminations, pay changes, bonuses, commissions, retro pay, leave of absence impacts, and garnishments (as applicable).

• Perform pre- and post-payroll audits to ensure accuracy of earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefit withholdings; identify root causes and drive corrective actions.

• Prepare and maintain payroll accounting accruals and reconciliations as part of the month-end and quarter-end close process.

• Partner with HR/Benefits to ensure accurate benefit deductions and alignment with eligibility rules and vendor files.

• Support tax and compliance needs, including working with payroll vendors on tax filings, agency notices, W-2/Year-End processes, and audits as needed.

• Help maintain and improve payroll SOPs, checklists, and internal controls; support SOX/compliance requirements where applicable.

• Participate in payroll projects, including system upgrades, implementations, configuration changes, process automation, and user testing (UAT).

• Produce ad hoc reporting and analysis on payroll trends, variances, overtime, headcount-related payroll costs, and other management requests.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR or equivalent relevant experience.

• 2+ years of payroll experience in a multinational environment.

• Working knowledge of payroll fundamentals: gross-to-net, taxes, wage/hour concepts, and common deductions.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills with high attention to detail and confidentiality.

• Proficiency in Excel (lookups, pivot tables, filters; comfort working with large datasets).

• Strong communication skills and a service-oriented mindset.

• Experience in a multi-state, multi-country, or global payroll environment.

• Payroll processing experience for US is essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ADP WFN (Workforce Now) experience highly desirable.

• Experience with HR management system UKG is a plus.

• Knowledge of payroll accounting, accruals, and GL integrations.

• Exposure to SOX controls and audit support.

• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) and/or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certification. (or interest in pursuing).

• Payroll processing experience for Canada is a plus.

Company Statement/Values:  

At NETGEAR, we are on a mission to unleash the full potential of connectivity with intelligent solutions that delight and protect. We turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live.  

We're a performance-driven, talented and connected team that's committed to delivering world-class products for our customers. As a company, we value our employees as the most essential building blocks of our success. And as teammates, we commit to taking our work to the Next Gear by living our values: we Dare to Transform the future, Connect and Delight our customers, Communicate Courageously with each other and collaborate to Win It Together. You’ll find our values woven through our processes, present in our decisions, and celebrated throughout our culture. 

We strive to attract top talent and create a great workplace where people feel engaged, inspired, challenged, proud and respected. If you are creative, forward-thinking, passionate about technology and are looking for a rewarding career to make an impact, then you've got what it takes to succeed at NETGEAR. Join our network and help us shape the future of connectivity. 

NETGEAR hires based on merit. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.