OPT Payroll Analyst Jobs
Payroll Analyst roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or human resources. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both STEM OPT extensions and H-1B visa sponsorship. Employers in this field routinely hire international candidates and are familiar with OPT work authorization requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsWHO WE ARE
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is an innovator and service provider for agricultural and professional markets in the United States and around the world. We are one of America's only retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing. For nearly 70 years our people have been driven to provide sustainable solutions that help feed, clothe and fuel the world. With over 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees we rank among the top agricultural service companies in volume and sales of agricultural products and services.
ABOUT THE JOB
Helena is seeking a Payroll Specialist. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate processing and recording of company payroll by providing timely and accurate accounting information for month, quarter and year-end payroll cycles as well as leading payroll processing tasks during each payroll cycle.
WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE
- Coordinates payroll tasks required for each pay cycle and assigns them to members of the payroll team.
- Provides direction to the payroll team in the absence of the leader.
- Determines when to set-up additional check cycles for bonus checks and other off-cycle payments.
- Serves as the point of contact for payroll team members on all issues.
- Analyzes and researches payroll issues, determines possible solutions and escalates problems to the appropriate parties when needed.
- Develops and coordinates testing of any new payroll earnings, deductions or other changes to payroll, ensuring they are set-up and working correctly.
- Logs service requests with ADP and is the point of contact for the ADP Payroll Consultant on issues with ADP vantage payroll and time and attendance modules. Works with ADP consultant on the root cause of issues and helps with resolutions.
- Audits payroll preview reports for manual entries, refunds and other items to ensure they are processed correctly.
- Manages payroll workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely.
- Reconciles payroll prior to transmission and validates confirmed reports.
- Understands proper taxation of employer paid benefits and various types of supplemental payments.
- Processes monthly, quarterly and year-end general ledger entries for accounting department.
- Prepares reports and gathers other information required by auditors from external accounting firms, our internal audit department, local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Processes accurate and timely (monthly, quarterly and annual) reports when necessary (W-2, W-2c, etc.)
- Develops ad hoc financial and operational reports as needed.
- Reconciles several general ledger accounts on a monthly basis for accounting department.
- Responsible for booking payroll general ledger entries and accruals each month into oracle accounting module.
- Special projects and research as assigned.
- Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
- Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
- Reliable and regular attendance is required.
- Follows all company policies and procedures.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Associate's degree with an emphasis in accounting, human resources, finance or other business-related field is preferred.
- Five years of processing multi-state payroll is required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge of payroll best practices and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations.
- Working knowledge of ADP e-Time, ADP Smart Compliance and ADP payroll systems.
- Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
- Strong work ethic and team player.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential material.
- Ability to communicate with various levels of leadership.
- Decision-making, problem-solving, mathematical and analytical skills.
- Organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
- Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
- Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to operate a Helena vehicle.
Successful completion of a drug screen and background check is required for all positions at Helena.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB
The work environment for this position is that of a typical office environment where the noise level is mostly quiet. This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, stand and sit. You may be occasionally required to lift or move up to 10 pounds.
BENEFITS AT HELENA
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
- Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
- Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
- Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
- Employees are eligible for paid time off and holiday pay.
- Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
- Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
- Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
- Education Assistance.
- And much more!
For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.
STAY CONNECTED TO HELENA! Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.
Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.
WHO WE ARE
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is an innovator and service provider for agricultural and professional markets in the United States and around the world. We are one of America's only retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing. For nearly 70 years our people have been driven to provide sustainable solutions that help feed, clothe and fuel the world. With over 450+ locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees we rank among the top agricultural service companies in volume and sales of agricultural products and services.
ABOUT THE JOB
Helena is seeking a Payroll Specialist. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate processing and recording of company payroll by providing timely and accurate accounting information for month, quarter and year-end payroll cycles as well as leading payroll processing tasks during each payroll cycle.
WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE
- Coordinates payroll tasks required for each pay cycle and assigns them to members of the payroll team.
- Provides direction to the payroll team in the absence of the leader.
- Determines when to set-up additional check cycles for bonus checks and other off-cycle payments.
- Serves as the point of contact for payroll team members on all issues.
- Analyzes and researches payroll issues, determines possible solutions and escalates problems to the appropriate parties when needed.
- Develops and coordinates testing of any new payroll earnings, deductions or other changes to payroll, ensuring they are set-up and working correctly.
- Logs service requests with ADP and is the point of contact for the ADP Payroll Consultant on issues with ADP vantage payroll and time and attendance modules. Works with ADP consultant on the root cause of issues and helps with resolutions.
- Audits payroll preview reports for manual entries, refunds and other items to ensure they are processed correctly.
- Manages payroll workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely.
- Reconciles payroll prior to transmission and validates confirmed reports.
- Understands proper taxation of employer paid benefits and various types of supplemental payments.
- Processes monthly, quarterly and year-end general ledger entries for accounting department.
- Prepares reports and gathers other information required by auditors from external accounting firms, our internal audit department, local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Processes accurate and timely (monthly, quarterly and annual) reports when necessary (W-2, W-2c, etc.)
- Develops ad hoc financial and operational reports as needed.
- Reconciles several general ledger accounts on a monthly basis for accounting department.
- Responsible for booking payroll general ledger entries and accruals each month into oracle accounting module.
- Special projects and research as assigned.
- Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
- Other work-related duties as assigned by leader.
- Reliable and regular attendance is required.
- Follows all company policies and procedures.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Associate's degree with an emphasis in accounting, human resources, finance or other business-related field is preferred.
- Five years of processing multi-state payroll is required.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Working knowledge of payroll best practices and procedures.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations.
- Working knowledge of ADP e-Time, ADP Smart Compliance and ADP payroll systems.
- Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
- Strong work ethic and team player.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential material.
- Ability to communicate with various levels of leadership.
- Decision-making, problem-solving, mathematical and analytical skills.
- Organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
- Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.
- Valid U.S. driver's license is required and must meet all company requirements to operate a Helena vehicle.
Successful completion of a drug screen and background check is required for all positions at Helena.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB
The work environment for this position is that of a typical office environment where the noise level is mostly quiet. This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, stand and sit. You may be occasionally required to lift or move up to 10 pounds.
BENEFITS AT HELENA
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
- Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
- Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
- Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
- Employees are eligible for paid time off and holiday pay.
- Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
- Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
- Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
- Education Assistance.
- And much more!
For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.
STAY CONNECTED TO HELENA! Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit us at helenacareers.com.
Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.
See all 163+ OPT Payroll Analyst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Payroll Analyst Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Payroll Analyst
Target employers with established payroll departments
Large companies with dedicated payroll teams are more likely to have HR infrastructure that understands OPT authorization. Mid-to-large employers in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing hire payroll analysts regularly and are familiar with work authorization paperwork.
Highlight your payroll software proficiency
Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want to minimize onboarding risk. Listing specific systems like Workday, ADP, or Ceridian on your resume signals immediate productivity and reduces hesitation about the administrative steps involved in hiring an international candidate.
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Payroll Analyst roles under accounting or information systems degree programs often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming eligibility before interviews lets you tell employers you have up to three years of work authorization without H-1B visa sponsorship.
Address OPT authorization proactively in applications
Many payroll employers screen out candidates they assume require immediate visa sponsorship. Clarifying that OPT is employer-authorized work, not a sponsored visa, removes a common objection early and keeps your application moving through the hiring process.
Pursue certifications that signal long-term commitment
The Fundamental Payroll Certification or Certified Payroll Professional credential demonstrates professional investment in the field. For OPT candidates, certifications also strengthen future H-1B petitions by supporting the specialty occupation argument for payroll roles.
Focus your search on companies already filing H-1B petitions
Employers who have previously sponsored H-1B workers for payroll or finance roles are more likely to extend that support to OPT candidates. Use Migrate Mate to find payroll analyst openings at companies with a documented history of sponsoring international professionals.
Payroll Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Payroll Analyst role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?
Payroll Analyst positions typically qualify as specialty occupations when the employer requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, human resources, or a related field. The key factor is whether the job description specifies a degree requirement in a particular discipline. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field are less likely to qualify. Review the job posting carefully before applying.
Can I work as a Payroll Analyst on STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as accounting information systems, management information systems, or applied mathematics, your Payroll Analyst role may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Standard accounting degrees are not always STEM-designated, so confirm your specific program's classification with your DSO before assuming STEM eligibility.
How do I find Payroll Analyst jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Browsing Payroll Analyst roles on Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have already indicated willingness to work with OPT authorization, saving you from applying to companies that will screen you out at the authorization question.
What should I say when a Payroll Analyst employer asks about my visa status?
Be direct and clear. Explain that you hold F-1 OPT authorization, which allows you to work full time for any employer in a role related to your degree for up to 12 months, with a potential 24-month STEM extension. Emphasize that OPT does not require the employer to file any petition upfront, distinguishing it from H-1B sponsorship, which involves USCIS filing fees and lottery selection.
What happens to my Payroll Analyst job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and your OPT EAD is still valid on April 1, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. This allows you to continue working as a Payroll Analyst without interruption while USCIS processes the petition. Confirm the timing with your DSO well before your EAD expiration date.