Senior Payroll Analyst

**Senior Payroll Analyst** Location: San Jose, CA (onsite) Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co-packaged optics (CPO), we are using light instead of electricity to move data faster, further, and with a fraction of the energy needed to fuel the explosive growth of AI models. Backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, AMD and Intel and manufactured in partnership with the world’s leading semiconductor ecosystem, Ayar Labs’ co-packaged optics solution is key to unleashing next-generation AI scale-up architectures. As part of our finance team, you will help support the employees who are defining the paradigm shift that defines the future of global AI computing architecture. The Senior Payroll Analyst role owns full-cycle payroll processing for our multi-state and global teams, along with the accounting and administration of our equity program — including journal entries, account reconciliations, and day-to-day management of our Carta equity plan. This role calls for someone who is exacting about the details — payroll and equity errors are costly and hard to unwind — while also understanding how each transaction connects to our financial statements, tax filings, and audits. You will also help prepare supporting schedules for annual audits and take on ad-hoc projects as they come up. **Essential Functions** - Payroll & Accounting - Perform all duties associated with processing semi-monthly payroll for employees in CA and other US states - Review Taiwan payroll processed by local accounting firm - Maintain, update, process employee payroll data, calculating wages and deductions, managing payroll calendars and schedules, processing wage garnishments, processing stock income reporting - Reconcile payroll sub-ledgers to resolve variances in a timely manner - Review payroll tax remittance and required government reporting - Review and process state payroll-related filings, questionnaires, inquiries - When payroll issues arise, prepare comprehensive recommendation for corrective actions and resolve complex payroll discrepancies - Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll regulations - Document payroll procedures and policies, considering best practices for public technology companies - Ensure W2s are generated and issued on a timely basis - Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely manner - Prepare monthly journal entries to payroll, benefits, stock compensation and others - Reconcile balance sheet accounts and provide detailed analysis of all discrepancies - Assist in annual audits relating to financial statements, 401K and others - Understand how payroll and equity transactions affect our financial statements, tax filings, and other downstream systems, flagging potential issues before they become compliance problems - Equity Administration - Administer and maintain equity compensation plans (stock options, RSUs) - Process equity transactions including grants, vesting, exercises, releases, and cancellations - Maintain and update equity plan databases and employee records - Track vesting schedules and ensure timely and accurate processing - Ensure compliance with tax, legal, and regulatory requirements (e.g., withholding, reporting) - Partner with HR, Finance, Legal, and external brokers on equity-related activities - Reconcile equity activity between internal systems, brokers, and transfer agents - Prepare and deliver regular and ad hoc reports for finance, accounting, and leadership teams - Respond to employee inquiries on equity awards, vesting, and exercises - Support audits, internal controls, and equity plan documentation - Other payroll, general accounting and stock administration duties as requested **Basic Requirements** - BS degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (or equivalent experience) - Minimum 5 years’ experience in payroll processing, accounting, and stock/equity administration - Prior experience processing multi-state US…