Payroll Specialist

About Upstart At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence. As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress. We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in-person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in-person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City (opening Summer 2026), you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you. If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. The Team: The Payroll Team is responsible for handling all pay related items for our Upstart employees. We are passionate about delivering accurate results on time, everytime! This position requires meticulous attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality. As the Payroll Specialist at Upstart, You’ll be the backbone of our payroll operations, ensuring continuity, accuracy, and employee confidence in every paycheck How you’ll make an impact Process full cycle US domestic payroll biweekly and semi monthly Monitor and manage the time tracking system for non-exempt employees, ensuring all timecards are complete and approved ahead of payroll processing. Prepare and audit all payroll data including new hires, salary changes, commissions, benefits and all other payroll related items received from stakeholders Assist with payroll compliance matters such as multi-state tax withholding, garnishments and annual audits Prepare and process equity events including RSU, NSO, ISO, and ESPP transactions Manage and respond to payroll inquiries within SLA timeframes Minimum Qualifications 3+ years of experience with US Domestic payroll processing and timekeeping Solid understanding of payroll operations including reconciliations, SOX controls, wage types and their impact on taxation/W2 Self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision Willingness to learn, perform and succeed in a high-growth environment Ability to multitask, manage time and accept changing priorities Preferred Qualifications Experience with Workday payroll and timekeeping Proficiency with Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets FPC or CPP certified a plus Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote Time zone requirements The team operates on the East - West coast time zones Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time. #LI-REMOTE #LI-Entry At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your