Senior Payroll Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Payroll Specialist roles attract H-1B visa and TN visa sponsorship from mid-size and enterprise employers, particularly in healthcare, finance, and tech. Employers typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, and USCIS classifies payroll specialization as a qualifying specialty occupation. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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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 Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Payroll Specialist
Target employers with large, complex payroll operations
Companies running multi-state or international payroll are far more likely to sponsor visas. Healthcare systems, financial institutions, and enterprise tech firms regularly file H-1B petitions for Senior Payroll Specialists because replacing specialized expertise is costly and disruptive.
Frame your degree as directly relevant to the role
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree and the position. A bachelor's in accounting, finance, or business administration strengthens your petition significantly. If your degree is adjacent, document how your coursework directly supports payroll systems and compliance work.
Highlight payroll software certifications and credentials
Certifications like CPP or FPC from the American Payroll Association signal specialized knowledge USCIS looks for in specialty occupation cases. They also differentiate you from general HR candidates and help employers justify the sponsorship investment to their legal team.
Prioritize employers with established immigration programs
Companies that have sponsored H-1B or TN visas before move faster and make fewer mistakes. Check DOL LCA disclosure data to identify employers who have previously filed for payroll or accounting roles before applying, it tells you who is genuinely sponsorship-ready.
Understand the TN visa pathway if you're Canadian or Mexican
TN status covers accountants under USMCA and can apply to Senior Payroll Specialists with an accounting degree. It requires no lottery, processes quickly at the border or a consulate, and is a practical alternative to waiting for H-1B selection in April.
Be prepared to explain the specialty occupation argument
Some USCIS examiners scrutinize payroll roles, questioning whether a degree is truly required. Your employer's attorney should show the role involves tax compliance, system implementation, or multi-jurisdiction regulation, not just check processing, to satisfy the specialty occupation standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Payroll Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases, but the employer's petition needs to make the argument explicitly. USCIS requires that a bachelor's degree in a specific field is the normal minimum for the position. Senior Payroll Specialist roles focused on tax compliance, multi-state payroll law, or enterprise payroll systems (Workday, SAP) are far easier to defend than general payroll processing roles. The more complex and technically demanding the job description, the stronger the case.
What degree do I need for an employer to sponsor my visa as a Senior Payroll Specialist?
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration is the most defensible credential for H-1B visa sponsorship in this role. Degrees in human resources or information systems can work if your coursework included payroll-relevant subjects like tax, compensation, or enterprise systems. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between your field of study and the duties of the specific position, so a generic business degree with no accounting coursework carries more risk of a Request for Evidence.
Which visa types are most common for Senior Payroll Specialists?
H-1B is the most common route, particularly for Indian and Nigerian nationals who make up a significant share of visa-sponsored finance and HR roles. Canadian and Mexican nationals with accounting degrees should strongly consider TN visa status, which requires no lottery and can be obtained at the border. Australians with relevant degrees may qualify for the E-3 visa. Each pathway has different processing timelines and renewal rules, so the best option depends on your nationality and the employer's timeline.
How do I find employers actively sponsoring Senior Payroll Specialist roles?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Senior Payroll Specialist roles with confirmed sponsorship. DOL LCA disclosure data is also searchable and shows which companies have filed labor condition applications for payroll and accounting positions historically, this tells you which employers have real infrastructure for sponsorship, not just a checkbox on a job posting. Focus on healthcare systems, payroll service bureaus, and large tech companies, which file consistently in this category.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer as a Senior Payroll Specialist?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you've maintained valid status. Your new employer files a fresh I-129 petition specific to the Senior Payroll Specialist role at their company. The specialty occupation standard must be satisfied again for the new position, so the job description and your credentials need to align clearly.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Payroll Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.