Open to opportunities

Katherine Pallen

@katherinepallen

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Senior payroll specialist specializing in multi-state and global payroll, taxes, and customer-focused compliance.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to own payroll tax compliance and multi-state/global payroll processing, partner with EOR vendors, and improve systems (Workday/Rippling) while delivering fast, accurate employee support.

I’m a dedicated Senior Payroll Specialist with extensive experience processing weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for upwards of 35,000+ nationwide and worldwide employees. I’m known for ensuring proper payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, and other deductions, while delivering excellent customer service through fast, accurate problem-solving.

I’ve served as a subject matter expert for taxes and payroll across US, Canada, and multi-state environments, including remote employee payroll worldwide. I’ve partnered with and managed third-party employer of record vendors (Remote and Papaya) for monthly EOR payrolls across countries, worked with compliance partners for UK processing, and supported audits for 401k and Workers Compensation. I also handle vacation payouts, expense report approvals, off-cycle payments, and tax notices—always aligning results with payroll policies and state tax requirements.

Beyond day-to-day processing, I’ve driven system and process improvements, including a two-year transition from an outsourced PEO (Vensure) to in-house with state and local tax registrations and compliance maintenance. I also supported payroll centralization and migrations between Workday and Rippling, including YTD transfers, 401(k) setup, benefits configuration, and UK pension transition. I bring both operational payroll depth and a continuous-improvement mindset rooted in accuracy, compliance, and employee trust.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Payroll Specialist

Honeycomb.io

Apr 2025 - May 2026 (1 year 1 month)

Processed US biweekly and semi-monthly multi-state salaried payroll and managed worldwide remote employee payroll. Served as a subject matter expert for taxes and payroll, partnering with Remote and Vistra to support EOR payrolls for Australia, Ireland, Germany, and the UK.

Payroll Processing Multi State Payroll State Tax Registrations Tax Notice Resolution Rippling Audit Support

Senior Payroll Specialist

Hopin

Apr 2023 - May 2024 (1 year 1 month)

Oversee US biweekly and multi-state hourly and semi-monthly salaried payroll, including Canada remote payroll, while managing EOR payrolls for multiple countries through Papaya. Updated state tax compliance in ADP SmartCompliance and Workday, led a transition from PEO to in-house payroll, and brought payrolls into Rippling as a central system of record.

Multi State Payroll Workday Rippling ADP SmartCompliance State UI SUI Rate Management Off Cycle Payments 401(K) & Benefits Setup

Payroll Lead

Ascent Global Logistics

May 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 year 5 months)

Implemented and maintained payroll processes and procedures during the divestiture of Roadrunner Transportation System and Ascent, ensuring weekly payroll was processed on time. Updated SUI rates between Workday and ADP and led payroll system enhancements including ADP Wisely pay card, wage garnishments, child support orders, and tax levies.

Payroll Processing Workday ADP SUI Rate Payroll Card Programs Child Support Orders Tax Levies

Sr. Payroll Representative

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Dec 2016 - Apr 2018 (1 year 4 months)

Processed complex payroll deductions, earnings, and payroll tax transactions for a financial services firm and provided customer service to associates on pay, benefits, and deductions. Balanced monthly payroll account reconciliations and recorded adjusting entries using PeopleSoft Financials while researching and responding to local, state, and federal tax notifications.

Payroll Tax Earnings And Deductions Payroll Reconciliation Peoplesoft Workday Implementation Customer Service

Sr. Payroll Representative

Aurora Health Care

Aug 2016 - Dec 2016 (4 months)

Processed payroll deductions, earnings, and payroll tax transactions per Aurora’s pay policies and procedures. Entered garnishments, levies, retro pay, and general deductions into PeopleSoft, supported Kronos time editors, and maintained leave of absence documentation and time entry in Kronos.

Peoplesoft Retro Pay Payroll Tax Compliance

Payroll Specialist

EmPowerHR

Apr 2013 - Dec 2014 (1 year 8 months)

Processed weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for clients across multiple states, including special payrolls based on client requests. Audited and reconciled personnel action forms and payroll documentation to ensure accurate imputation of employee data, direct deposits, taxes, and timely pay.

Multi State Payroll Time & Attendance Integration (Novatime)Payroll Reconciliation Tax Allocation & Benefits Changes

Payroll Specialist

Tricom Funding

Jun 2006 - Apr 2013 (6 years 10 months)

Collected payroll information daily from clients, including salary adjustments, special payments, tax allocations, benefit changes, and employee deductions. Keyed payroll data accurately to meet weekly processing schedules and ensured payroll updates were completed on time.

Client Payroll Data Collection