Payroll Specialist at Spotify

New York, New York, United States

Spotify Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Junior (1 to 2 years), Mid-level (3 to 4 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Technology, EntertainmentIndustries

Requirements

  • Minimum of 3+ years of relevant payroll experience
  • Knowledgeable in payroll tax compliance and multi-state payroll processes
  • Proficient in Workday and ADP SmartCompliance
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills
  • Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, formulas)
  • High integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality
  • Proactive, adaptable, and hands-on with a strong work ethic and a “can-do” approach
  • Diligent individual with a focus on automation and continual improvement
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively within a team
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance

Responsibilities

  • Ensure timely and accurate end-to-end payroll processing (semi-monthly and off-cycle) for North America
  • Process daily equity transactions, including RSU vesting and NSO exercises, using E*Trade reporting
  • Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax reconciliations and filings (federal, state, and local), including forms 941, 940, W-2, and T4
  • Maintain and document standard operating procedures for payroll processes
  • Validate payroll controls and escalate discrepancies or exceptions to management
  • Collaborate with HR, Benefits, Finance, Engineering, and external vendors (e.g., third-party payroll providers)
  • Provide excellent communication with employees and partners on payroll policies, deductions, and tax queries
  • Audit benefit data integrations between Workday and vendor systems to ensure accuracy
  • Review payroll results and reports to identify errors, anomalies, or exceptions
  • Participate in special projects, user acceptance testing (UAT), and ad hoc analyses as needed

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

WorkdayADP SmartComplianceE*TradePayroll ProcessingTax ReconciliationEquity TransactionsRSUNSOW-2941940T4UATAutomation

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the location and work arrangement for this role?

The role is based in New York, NY, with flexibility to work where you work best, including some in-person meetings. You are asked to come into the office 2-3 days per week and operate within the EST zone for collaboration.

What skills and experience are required for this Payroll Specialist position?

Candidates need a minimum of 3+ years of relevant payroll experience, knowledge of payroll tax compliance and multi-state payroll, proficiency in Workday and ADP SmartCompliance, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and strong Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and formulas.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like for this position at Spotify?

The role is in a supportive, fast-paced environment ideal for someone detail-oriented, collaborative, proactive, adaptable, and hands-on with a strong work ethic, focusing on building trusted relationships across teams.

What makes a strong candidate for this Payroll Specialist role?

A strong candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance, plus 3+ years of payroll experience, proficiency in key tools like Workday and Excel, and traits like high integrity, diligence in automation, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Spotify

Digital music streaming service with podcasts

About Spotify

Spotify provides a digital music streaming service that allows users to access millions of songs and podcasts from various artists and creators. Users can choose between a free plan, which includes advertisements, and a premium subscription that offers an ad-free experience along with features like offline listening and higher sound quality. This tiered model caters to different user preferences and budgets. Spotify generates revenue through subscription fees from premium users and advertising from the free tier. Unlike its competitors, Spotify stands out with its extensive music library, user-friendly interface, and personalized playlists. The company's goal is to connect listeners with a wide range of audio content while supporting artists and advertisers.

Stockholms kommun, SwedenHeadquarters
2006Year Founded
$2,004.2MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Extensive learning opportunities, through our dedicated team, GreenHouse
Global parental leave, six months off - fully paid - for all new parents
Flexible public holidays, swap days off according to your values and beliefs
Flexible share incentives letting you choose how you share in our success
All The Feels, our employee assistance program and self-care hub
Spotify On Tour, join your colleagues on trips to industry festivals and events

Risks

Accidental display of adult content may harm Spotify's reputation.
Creating its own music to avoid royalties could lead to legal issues.
Layoffs may affect Spotify's operational efficiency and employee morale.

Differentiation

Spotify offers a vast library of music and podcasts globally.
The platform's user-friendly interface enhances user experience and engagement.
Spotify's personalized playlists cater to individual user preferences.

Upsides

Spotify's AI-powered Wrapped feature enhances user engagement and personalization.
Expansion into political podcasting taps into new audience segments.
Growing podcast popularity in Africa presents expansion opportunities for Spotify.

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