OPT Payroll Manager Jobs
Payroll Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in accounting, human resources, or business administration. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under business operations, and employers in this field routinely file H-1B visa petitions, giving you a realistic path beyond your OPT window.
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Employment Type:
Full time
Shift:
Description:
Is a member of the Trinity Health payroll shared services team. Supports all functional areas of payroll. Works closely with Payroll Managers/Representatives of Regional Health Ministries to ensure accuracy of all aspects of employee payroll processing and information, ensuring compliance with Federal and State Regulations. Maintains a high degree of confidentiality for all payroll and human resource information.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Trinity Health Mission, Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions.
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Maintains accurate procedures in compliance with all Federal and State Regulations to analyze and monitor all payroll functions including tax setup/withholding, banking, garnishment, and general processing.
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Responsibility for supporting relationships with contracted vendors and internal Trinity Health departments for regular auditing, implementing procedures, and ensuring accurate payroll withholdings, processing, and payments.
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Reviews and balances payroll tax information and completes payroll tax reports. This will include tax payments and tax reporting in a multi-state environment. Keeps current with payroll tax laws to ensure tax information and employee earnings and tax data are accurate. Knows and understands wage and hour issues.
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Ensuring all aspects of the payroll cycle, including tax, benefits, wage attachment, banking etc. are processed, reconciled, audited, and transmitted accurately and timely.
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Completes quarter end and year end payroll activities and assists RHM Payroll Managers to ensure compliance and accuracy.
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Runs reports and performs audits in support of ensuring accurate data.
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Loads EIBs to make employment records adjustments as appropriate to ensure accurate payroll processing.
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Supports the payroll production process.
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Maintains confidentiality of all payroll and human resources information.
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Participates and takes responsibility for special projects related to system enhancements and quality improvements. Assists in the coordination of policy and procedure implementation.
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Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws/regulations; the Trinity Health Integrity and Compliance Program and Code of Conduct; as well as other policies and procedures to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Associate's degree with major coursework in bookkeeping, accounting or related field and three (3) to five (5) years of comprehensive knowledge and progressively responsible payroll experience in a multi-entity and multi-state organization handling payroll and payroll processes, payroll tax and state reciprocity rules, garnishments, payroll related regulatory compliance including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), banking ACH/settlement, and internal controls for the payroll cycle or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
Must work well in a team environment and have good oral and written communication skills and be comfortable communicating with all levels of the organization.
Must possess strong analytical skills and have the ability to develop appropriate methodologies for collecting, summarizing, analyzing, and evaluating data.
Must be detail oriented and able to meet established deadlines. Excellent follow through is required.
Must possess strong personal computer skills, particularly Excel. Experience with Workday, Kronos timekeeping and ADP tax services is preferred.
Must have a demonstrated understanding of the principles of accounting.
Must possess a high degree of professionalism and customer focus as well as the ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Must be a highly motivated self-starter with the ability to exercise good judgment, tact and diplomacy.
Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.
Must have a personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity, and caring as well as the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision goals and values of Trinity Health.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Must be able to set and organize own work priorities and adapt to them as they change frequently. Must be able to work concurrently on a variety of tasks/projects in an environment that may be stressful with individuals having diverse personalities and work styles.
May need to travel to the various Trinity Health sites (less than 20%) as needed.
Must possess the ability to comply with Trinity Health policies and procedures.
Overtime may be required during peak periods.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties so assigned.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Payroll Manager
Lead with your payroll software credentials
Proficiency in ADP, Workday, or Ceridian is often the first filter employers use. Listing certifications or hands-on experience with these platforms upfront signals you can contribute immediately, which makes the sponsorship conversation easier to have.
Target companies with established HR infrastructure
Mid-size and enterprise employers with dedicated HR or finance departments are far more likely to have sponsored visas before. They already have immigration counsel on retainer, which removes the biggest barrier OPT candidates face when asking about sponsorship.
Time your job search around your OPT start date
Payroll roles often have 30 to 60 day onboarding periods before you touch live payroll cycles. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT begins gives employers enough lead time to hire you without timeline anxiety.
Emphasize compliance knowledge in your resume
Employers hiring Payroll Managers care deeply about tax law, wage and hour regulations, and multi-state payroll rules. Candidates who demonstrate this knowledge reduce perceived risk, which matters when an employer is weighing the added step of sponsoring a visa.
Pursue Fundamental Payroll Certification before applying
The FPC credential from the American Payroll Association is attainable without prior U.S. work experience and signals seriousness to hiring managers. It also distinguishes your application in a pool where most competitors have longer domestic work histories.
Address your work authorization status early and clearly
Bring up your OPT status before the offer stage, not after. Briefly explaining your timeline, including any STEM extension eligibility, gives employers room to plan and prevents last-minute complications that cause otherwise strong candidates to lose offers.
Payroll Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Payroll Managers in the United States?
Yes. Payroll Manager roles fall within business operations and human resources, both of which qualify as directly related to common F-1 degree fields such as accounting, finance, and business administration. As long as the role aligns with your degree, it meets the OPT employment requirement. You can browse verified OPT-eligible Payroll Manager positions on Migrate Mate.
Does a Payroll Manager role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as management information systems, data analytics, or computer information systems, and the Payroll Manager role uses those skills, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Accounting and finance degrees are generally not STEM-designated, so confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Payroll Managers for H-1B visas?
Large employers across healthcare, technology, financial services, and professional services firms are the most consistent H-1B visa sponsors for Payroll Managers. These organizations process high payroll volumes across multiple states, justify the senior role, and have existing immigration infrastructure. Smaller companies without prior sponsorship history are less predictable, even when the role is otherwise a strong fit.
What should I do if my OPT authorization period ends before my employer files an H-1B petition?
If you have a STEM extension and your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you may be eligible for cap-gap protection, which bridges your status through September 30 of that year. Without a STEM extension, your options narrow significantly. Planning your timeline carefully and choosing employers who commit to sponsorship early reduces the risk of a gap in work authorization.
How competitive are Payroll Manager roles for OPT candidates compared to entry-level finance jobs?
Payroll Manager roles typically require three to five years of payroll-specific experience, which puts them out of reach for most recent graduates without prior internship or co-op experience in payroll functions. Candidates who interned in payroll, worked part-time in HR operations, or hold the FPC or CPP certification are meaningfully more competitive. Some employers also consider candidates with strong accounting backgrounds who are willing to specialize.