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Payroll Analyst

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Who we are

At CarGurus (NASDAQ: CARG), our mission is to give people the power to reach their destination. We started as a small team of developers determined to bring trust and transparency to car shopping. Since then, our history of innovation and go-to-market acceleration has driven industry-leading growth. In fact, we’re the largest and fastest-growing automotive marketplace, and we’ve been profitable for over 15 years.

What we do

The market is evolving, and we are too, moving the entire automotive journey online and guiding our customers through every step. That includes everything from the sale of an old car to the financing, purchase, and delivery of a new one. Today, tens of millions of consumers visit CarGurus.com each month, and ~30,000 dealerships use our products. But they're not the only ones who love CarGurus—our employees do, too. We have a people-first culture that fosters kindness, collaboration, and innovation, and empowers our Gurus with tools to fuel their career growth. Disrupting a trillion-dollar industry requires fresh and diverse perspectives. Come join us for the ride!

Role Overview

CarGurus is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Payroll Analyst to join our People & Talent team. In this role, you'll support the launch and ongoing operations of both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles. This position plays a key part in ensuring that employees across the U.S. and internationally (UK, Ireland, and Canada) are paid accurately and on time.

The Payroll Analyst will also be responsible for generating recurring reports, supporting annual payroll projects, and partnering with Accounting on journal entries. Our Payroll team also leads commission and bonus payrolls, manages benefit accruals, and ensures compliance across all payroll processes.

What You’ll Do

Support end-to-end payroll processing across multiple countries (U.S., UK, Ireland, and Canada).
Collect and validate payroll data across departments and teams.
Input and maintain payroll data within Workday HRIS.
Ensure accurate recordkeeping of payroll transactions and documentation.
Manage payroll workflows to ensure timely and precise processing.
Maintain employee tax allocations in Workday.
Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate results post-processing.
Ensure employee hours are submitted and approved accurately in Workday.
Assist with payroll amendments and year-end reporting (W-2s, W-2cs, 1095-Cs).
Build and maintain ad hoc payroll and financial reports
Process off-cycle and manual payments as needed.
Manage the payroll inbox and respond promptly to inquiries.
Complete employment verification requests.
Support the Payroll Manager with daily operations and issue resolution.
Assist with internal and external payroll audits.
Collaborate with the People Operations team on special projects.
Support payroll-related equity transactions.

What You’ll Bring

3–4 years of hands-on experience processing multi-state and multi-cycle payrolls.
Solid understanding of payroll best practices and compliance standards.
Working knowledge of payroll tax regulations, fringe benefits, employee benefits, and equity compensation.
Familiarity with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
Proficiency with Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Experience using Workday HRIS for payroll processing.
High level of integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential data.
Strong communication skills—both written and verbal.
Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
Understanding of FLSA regulations and record-keeping requirements.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Working at CarGurus

We reward our Gurus’ curiosity and passion with best-in-class benefits and compensation, including equity for all employees, both when they start and as they continue to grow with us. Our career development and corporate giving programs, as well as our employee resource groups (ERGs) and communities, help people build connections while making an impact in personally meaningful ways. A flexible hybrid model and robust time off policies encourage work-life balance and individual well-being. Thoughtful perks like daily free lunch, a new car discount, meditation and fitness apps, commuting cost coverage, and more help our people create space for what matters most in their personal and professional lives.

We welcome all

CarGurus strives to be a place to which people can bring the ultimate expression of themselves and their potential—starting with our hiring process. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We foster an inclusive environment that values people for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. That’s why we hope you’ll apply even if you don’t check every box listed in the job description. We also encourage you to tell your recruiter if you require accommodations to participate in our hiring process due to a disability so we can provide the appropriate support. We want to know what only you can bring to CarGurus. #LI-Hybrid

Average salary estimate

$87500 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$80000K

$95000K

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What You Should Know About Payroll Analyst, CarGurus

Join the dynamic team at CarGurus as a Payroll Analyst and be a part of a company that is revolutionizing the automotive marketplace! Based in Boston, Massachusetts, this role offers you the opportunity to support payroll operations not only in the U.S. but also internationally in countries like the UK, Ireland, and Canada. Picture yourself being an essential link in ensuring that employees are accurately compensated on a bi-weekly and semi-monthly basis, all while working within a collaborative and innovative culture that values your input. As a Payroll Analyst, your keen attention to detail will shine as you handle payroll processing, maintain employee records in Workday HRIS, and generate insightful reports. You’ll be right at the heart of payroll workflows, managing everything from tax allocations to year-end reporting like W-2s. At CarGurus, we don’t just value hard work; we also offer best-in-class benefits, flexible work arrangements, and a welcoming environment that encourages personal growth. If you have a solid understanding of payroll practices and compliance standards, along with an analytical mindset, you could be the perfect fit for this role. With your strong problem-solving skills, you will navigate payroll audits and collaborate with the People Operations team on engaging projects. Come unlock your potential with CarGurus, where your contributions will truly make a difference!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Payroll Analyst Role at CarGurus

What does a Payroll Analyst do at CarGurus?

As a Payroll Analyst at CarGurus, you'll be responsible for supporting the entire payroll process across multiple countries, ensuring timely and accurate compensation for employees. You will handle various payroll tasks such as validating payroll data, maintaining records in Workday HRIS, and generating financial reports, all while collaborating with the People & Talent team.