Senior Payroll & Finance Operations Specialist

Company Description

Assent is the leading AI native platform for supply chain sustainability and compliance, trusted by complex manufacturers and distributors around the world. Built and backed by experts who have led global compliance programs, our unified platform combines advanced AI, regulatory expertise, and the world’s largest supply chain data network to help organizations reduce risk, lower operational costs, and build trust across every tier of the value chain. From human rights and responsible sourcing to PFAS reporting and Digital Product Passports, Assent transforms regulatory complexity into actionable insights that drive real business outcomes.

With over 900 team members across India, North America, Malaysia, the EU, and Kenya and more than 1,000 customers globally, Assent brings together global perspective and deep domain expertise. Our hybrid work model enables teams to collaborate effectively across regions while staying connected to the communities where they live and work. As a certified B Corporation, we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This reflects our commitment to building technology that drives business performance while creating long-term value for people and the planet.

People First. Technology Forward.

Our commitment to People, Culture & Community (PCC) is rooted in building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We recruit and retain team members with a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, while fostering a culture of belonging where all Assentees are respected, supported, and empowered to contribute.

As we continue to embed AI into how we work, we do so thoughtfully, enhancing human potential, supporting better decision-making, and prioritizing appropriate oversight, privacy, and fairness.

At Assent, we value your privacy and are committed to maintaining transparency in how we handle your personal information. As part of our talent acquisition and management processes, we may use AI technologies to support activities such as resume screening, candidate communication, and talent analytics.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Senior Payroll Specialist - India will own end-to-end India payroll for Assent and support payroll in other global jurisdictions as required. You'll be the trusted payroll partner for our India employees and our Employee Experience team which involves addressing complex matters independently, holding a high bar for input accuracy, and using AI to work smarter, not harder.

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accuracy of the payroll, the employee relationships around it, and the ongoing improvement of how it's run. This role is not intended to be limited to payroll processing only; it will also support related accounting activities, including reconciliations, AP and employee expense support, statutory compliance documentation, audit support, month-end support, and reporting where required.

Assent’s Finance team operates with an AI-first mindset. We are continuously investing in automation and intelligent workflows. The ideal candidate will bring curiosity, initiative, and a strong interest in using these tools to work more effectively while applying their payroll, accounting, and compliance knowledge.

Key Requirements & Responsibilities

• India Payroll & Statutory Compliance

  End-to-end monthly payroll processing for India employees, including earnings, deductions and reimbursements via UKG OneView

  Oversee statutory compliance executed by our payroll provider, confirming filings are accurate, on time, and aligned with all applicable Indian regulations

  Full and final settlements, gratuity calculations, and leave encashment for exiting employees

  Year-end activities and statutory audit support

  Act as the primary point of contact for India employees on all payroll, tax, and statutory questions — owning the experience end-to-end, from query to resolution

  Partner closely with the Employee Experience (HR) team as the embedded payroll expert on hiring, benefits design, policy changes, and exits

  Support payroll-related accounting entries, payroll reconciliations, variance reviews, and employee reimbursement validations to ensure accurate financial reporting and audit readiness.

  Global Payroll Support

  Deliver timely and accurate payroll inputs in other global jurisdictions via OneView (UKG).

  Work with in-country providers (ICPs) through OneView to ensure filings and employee tax forms are completed accurately and on time in each jurisdiction

  Answer payroll questions from employees in other jurisdictions, working with in-country providers via UKG OneView where local expertise is needed

  Accuracy & Controls

  Own the integrity of payroll inputs which includes validation of data from Employee Experience, time tracking, and benefits systems before every cycle

  Partner with Employee Experience to ensure smooth, accurate, and timely data flow between the two functions across the full employee lifecycle

  Build and maintain reconciliation checks, audit trails, and variance investigations; resolve issues proactively rather than reactively

  Review compliance of employee expense reimbursements against company policy

  Support accounting reconciliations related to payroll, employee reimbursements, statutory liabilities, AP/expense activities, and other India finance activities as required.

  Assist with preparation of audit schedules, statutory documentation, reconciliation trackers, MIS reports, variance analysis, and supporting reports for internal and external reviews.

  Support AP, employee expense, and payment-related activities where required, including review of approvals, coding, supporting documentation, and policy compliance.

  Proactively explore new AI capabilities and bring them into the workflow where they add value

  Complex Payroll Matters & Cross Functional Support

  Partner with Employee Experience on payroll-related policy development — bringing payroll expertise to policy design and ensuring new or updated policies are operationally sound

  Resolve complex payroll matters independently — including retroactive adjustments, contractor payments, off-cycle situations, and audit support

  Support the implementation of new payroll software and process improvements as needed

  Coordinate the payroll and tax implications of new or evolving benefit packages

  Support Finance with accounting and reporting activities, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, audit schedules, statutory documentation, and month-end close support as needed.

  Assist with GST/TDS coordination, statutory working papers, and compliance documentation in partnership with external consultants or internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 8–10+ years of hands-on India payroll experience, including statutory compliance and TDS management

• Strong working knowledge of UKG OneView (Immedis) or comparable global payroll platforms. UKG OneView experience is strongly preferred

• Self-directed and confident handling complex matters independently

• Strong communicator who is able to explain complex payroll and tax matters clearly to employees, and committed to following through on every question

• Comfortable using AI tools in day-to-day work and interested in exploring new capabilities

• Proficient in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace

• A University, College and/or Post Graduate Certificate in Payroll and/or Business Administration or a related field would be considered an asset

Additional Information

Life at Assent

Wellness: We believe that you and your family’s well being is important. As a result, we offer vacation time that increases with tenure, comprehensive benefits packages (details vary by country), life leave days and more.

Financial Benefits: It’s not all about the money – well, it’s a little about the money. We understand that financial health is important and we offer a competitive base salary, a corporate bonus program, retirement savings options and more.

Life at Assent: There is purpose beyond your work. We provide our team members with flexible work options, volunteer days and opportunities to get involved in corporate giving initiatives.

Lifelong Learning: At Assent, curiosity is not only valued but encouraged. You will receive professional development days that are available to you the day you start.

At Assent, we are committed to growing and sustaining an environment where our team members feel included, valued, and heard. Our diversity and equal opportunity practices are guided and championed by our Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion includes recruiting and retaining team members from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and fostering a culture of belonging where all team members are included, treated with dignity and respect, promoted on their merits, and placed in positions to contribute to business success.

If you require assistance or accommodation throughout any part of the interview and selection process,