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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We’re seeking a detail-driven Payroll Specialist II (Hybrid Ann Arbor, MI) to join our North America Payroll team. In this role, you’ll support U.S. payroll and Canadian payroll processing in ADP Workforce Now and Oracle EBS, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness. You’ll also play a key role in driving process improvements, automation, and cross-functional payroll initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Process accurate, compliant biweekly payroll for Canada and the U.S.
- Audit HR-to-ADP interfaces and timecard data for completeness and accuracy
- Manage ADP DataBridge files and troubleshoot issues
- Ensure compliance with payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies
- Partner with HR, Benefits, HRIS, and TA to improve payroll processes
- Resolve payroll issues and support employee and vendor inquiries
- Produce file extracts, reporting, and vendor payments as needed
- Participate in projects to enhance automation, efficiency, and scalability
- Maintain payroll records and support year-end processing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ year diploma in Accounting, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 3+ years of payroll experience multi-jurisdictional across US and Canada
- Experience with ADP Workforce Now
- Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and regulations
- High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- Systems-savvy; comfortable working with automation and payroll technologies
- Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
You'll stand out if:
- Workday Payroll and Oracle EBS experience
- Workday Implementation experience
About us
With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.
One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.
Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.
NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We are committed to attracting and retaining world class talent at NSF. We enable team members to Grow, Perform, Lead and Navigate their careers at NSF.
INTRODUCTION
We’re seeking a detail-driven Payroll Specialist II (Hybrid Ann Arbor, MI) to join our North America Payroll team. In this role, you’ll support U.S. payroll and Canadian payroll processing in ADP Workforce Now and Oracle EBS, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness. You’ll also play a key role in driving process improvements, automation, and cross-functional payroll initiatives.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Process accurate, compliant biweekly payroll for Canada and the U.S.
- Audit HR-to-ADP interfaces and timecard data for completeness and accuracy
- Manage ADP DataBridge files and troubleshoot issues
- Ensure compliance with payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies
- Partner with HR, Benefits, HRIS, and TA to improve payroll processes
- Resolve payroll issues and support employee and vendor inquiries
- Produce file extracts, reporting, and vendor payments as needed
- Participate in projects to enhance automation, efficiency, and scalability
- Maintain payroll records and support year-end processing
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ year diploma in Accounting, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 3+ years of payroll experience multi-jurisdictional across US and Canada
- Experience with ADP Workforce Now
- Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and regulations
- High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
- Strong communication and customer service skills
- Systems-savvy; comfortable working with automation and payroll technologies
- Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
You'll stand out if:
- Workday Payroll and Oracle EBS experience
- Workday Implementation experience
About us
With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.
One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.
Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.
NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We are committed to attracting and retaining world class talent at NSF. We enable team members to Grow, Perform, Lead and Navigate their careers at NSF.
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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.