Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, September 14, 2026
More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.
Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.
The hiring manager may elect to fill this position as a Payroll Analyst or one level higher as a Senior Payroll Analyst, dependent upon the experience of the selected candidate.
Duke Energy is seeking a highly analytical and customer-focused Payroll Analyst to support payroll operations for one of the nation's largest energy companies. This role is responsible for ensuring payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and a positive employee experience.
The Payroll Analyst partners with HR, Finance, Tax, Information Technology, and Duke Energy's payroll service provider to support payroll processes impacting a large and diverse workforce. The position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, payroll tax expertise, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will serve as a trusted payroll subject matter expert, helping drive compliance, operational efficiency, and process modernization initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations
- Support accurate and timely payroll processing for multiple employee populations and pay cycles.
- Review payroll results, investigate variances, and resolve discrepancies.
- Analyze payroll transactions to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
- Provide payroll expertise for pay corrections, special payments, and complex employee scenarios.
Compliance and Controls
- Support compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
- Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review, validation, and reporting.
- Support SOX controls and payroll compliance reviews through documentation, testing, and audit support.
- Research payroll tax issues and provide recommendations for resolution.
- Coordinate responses to internal and external audit requests.
Vendor Partnership Management
- Collaborate with Duke Energy's payroll vendor and service partners to ensure accurate and timely payroll execution.
- Monitor service delivery and assist in resolving escalated payroll issues.
- Participate in regular operational reviews and process improvement discussions with vendor partners.
Analytics and Reporting
- Prepare and analyze payroll reports for management, finance, and regulatory purposes.
- Conduct data analysis to identify trends, exceptions, and opportunities for process improvements.
- Utilize Workday and Microsoft Excel to support payroll reporting and decision making.
- Develop recommendations based on data-driven insights.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and employee experience.
- Participate in system implementations, enhancements, and testing activities.
- Assist in documenting payroll procedures and maintaining process documentation.
- Support strategic payroll initiatives and cross-functional projects.
Key Skills and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or closely related field.
- Experience with payroll processing, payroll compliance requirements, payroll tax or closely related.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Required Qualifications - Payroll Analyst
- Bachelor's degree
- In addition to required degree, one (1) or more years related work experience
- In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 1 plus years' related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND five (5) or more years related work experience
Required Qualifications - Senior Payroll Analyst
- Bachelor’s degree
- In addition to required degree, three (3) or more years related work experience
- In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND three (3) or more years related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND seven (7) or more years related work experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
- Experience supporting large multi-state payroll operations.
- Experience with Workday Payroll.
- Experience working with third-party payroll providers.
- Knowledge of payroll tax reporting and compliance requirements.
- Experience supporting SOX controls, audits, or compliance programs.
- Experience with reporting and analytics tools.
- Utility, energy, or large enterprise payroll experience preferred.
What Sets This Opportunity Apart
- Opportunity to support payroll operations for a Fortune 500 energy company.
- Exposure to complex, multi-state payroll and tax environments.
- Significant partnership with HR, Finance, Tax, and external providers.
- Ability to influence process improvements and modernization efforts.
- Meaningful impact on employee experience and payroll compliance.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to Duke Energy location.
- 3 days per week in the office requirement
#LI-PG1
#LI-Hybrid
**Travel Requirements**
Not required
Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
No
Represented/Union Position
No
Visa Sponsored Position
No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.
Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA)
Terms of Use
Accessibility