Erika Kowalski

Accomplished Payroll Manager with 15+ years of experience directing comprehensive payroll operations for large employee populations across multiple states and countries. Proven expertise in implementing and optimizing payroll systems, including UKG, ADP, and Workday, while ensuring meticulous compliance with GAAP and SOX regulations. Adept at managing payroll tax filings, GL mapping, and reconciliation.

Eager to leverage extensive payroll management and team leadership skills to drive efficiency and accuracy for Cardinal Group Companies.

International Payroll Manager (Contract) - SWH - New York, US

(2024-04 - 2025-01)

• Directed international payroll operations, managing payroll processes for 8,000 employees across the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines within monthly, biweekly, weekly, semimonthly, salary, hourly, and bonus cycles.
• Processed, audited, and implemented payroll systems while overseeing internal tax audits per state across three platforms, successfully transitioning to a consolidated system (UKG, NetSuite).
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-state and Philippine payroll operations.
• Facilitated data extraction from Rippling to UKG, enhancing payroll reporting accuracy.
• Oversaw internal deadlines for GAAP audit reports pertaining to payroll, ensuring verification of employee changes, new hire dates, and termination dates.
• Administered PTO, bonuses, and salary increments while managing quarterly tax calculations.
• Submitted payroll deductions, bonuses, and adjustments to salary.
• Executed GL mapping for payroll, PTO, and payroll accruals.

Director of International Payroll (Contract) - CONVO COMMUNICATIONS - AUSTIN, TX, US

(2023-07 - 2024-03)

• Led a team of three in managing payroll processes for 8,000 employees in the US and Canada using UKG and Teamwork, covering biweekly, weekly, monthly, semimonthly, salary, hourly, and commission-based bonus cycles.
• Executed the processing, auditing, and implementation of UKG payroll systems, including setting earnings codes and performing GL mapping to NetSuite, and PTO and payroll accrual mapping.
• Conducted internal tax audits using three distinct platforms to streamline transition to a unified system (UKG, NetSuite).
• Acquired extensive experience in multi-state and Canadian payroll management.
• Harvested data extraction for payroll reporting from SAP and Workday.
• Maintained stringent internal deadlines for GAAP audit reports related to payroll, verifying employee changes, new hires, and termination dates.
• Supervised the processing of PTO accruals, bonuses, and periodic salary increases, including quarterly tax assessments.
• Facilitated payroll deduction submissions, bonuses, and salary alterations.

Payroll Analyst/Internal Auditor (Contract) - AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS - Miami, FL, US

(2022-08 - 2023-07)

• Administered payroll processing and implemented Workday and ADP Workforce Solutions alongside Kronos for 5,000 employees, managing biweekly union payrolls, and various other cycles.
• Maintained compliance with internal deadlines for SOX audits by correcting timecards and executing payroll cycles.
• Generated reports from Workday for payroll to validate employee changes, new hire dates, and termination dates.
• Coordinated the processing of PTO accruals, bonuses, and periodic salary adjustments, as well as quarterly taxes.
• Delivered comprehensive payroll deduction submissions including bonuses and salary adjustments.
• Supervised a team of five during the payroll process.

Payroll Tax Analyst - Internal Auditor (Contract) - NXP SEMICONDUCTORS - Austin, TX, US

(2022-02 - 2022-07)

• Oversaw international payroll operations for the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico, servicing 30,000 employees within ADP SAP, and led the implementation into Workday and Kronos alongside a team of four, managing various payroll schedules including biweekly, weekly, monthly, semimonthly, salary, hourly, and commission cycles.
• Processed and audited payroll implementations and internal tax audits across three platforms, effectively transitioning to a unified system (SAP, Kronos, Workday).
• Possessed in-depth knowledge of multi-state and Canadian payroll practices.
• Facilitated data extraction from SAP and Workday for payroll reporting.
• Sustained internal deadlines for SOX audits while ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Administered Workday reports for payroll verification of employee changes, new hire dates, and termination dates.
• Conducted processing of PTO accruals, bonuses, and salary adjustments per cycle, including quarterly taxes.
• Completed payroll deduction submissions for bonuses and salary alterations.

Tax Auditor/Analyst (Contract) - TEST EQUITY - Moorpark

(2020-01 - 2020-03)

• Engaged in all aspects of domestic transaction tax compliance, including auditing and research.
• Prepared transaction tax-related documents (sales/use, business & occupation, gross receipts).
• Conducted research on transaction tax issues; managed Tax Certification Reconciliation, AvaTax, and Cert Capture.
• Reported findings and managed tax reconciliations accurately.
• Interpreted and ensured compliance with state, local, and international regulations and legislation.
• Prepared and/or reviewed indirect tax filings for Microsoft and affiliated companies.
• Provided informed guidance based on transaction tax law research for billing practices.
• Prepared credits and corrected billings as necessary.
• Analyzed and updated customer exemption records by state.
• Engineered and instituted process improvements within the department.
• Facilitated payroll processing for 25,000 employees.

Payroll Manager (Contract Assignment) - LAZAR & COMPANY - Los Angeles

(2019-09 - 2020-01)

• Oversaw payroll processes and managed a team of two to audit and validate 50 Union Payrolls for clients across three platforms, facilitating integration into a new system, Gusto.
• Administered internal deadlines, ACH, EFT, and check processing from timesheets while ensuring tax audits per state.
• Managed payroll accruals, prevailing wages, and quarterly tax assessments.
• Executed 401k and health plan deductions submissions for a boutique payroll company with 125 clients.

Revenue Sponsor Accountant - Full Cycle Contract to Audit Controls and Revenue Recognition Per Event - CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS - Austin

(2015-01 - 2019-07)

• Directed all revenue-related month-end tasks while managing the accounting team during month-end closings.
• Formulated weekly billings based on contracts, cash receipts, and accounts receivable reports, along with aging analysis.
• Facilitated billing processing and instituted GL maintenance across all areas in compliance with GAAP.
• Assisted in enhancing accounts receivable process workflows and internal controls including petty cash management.
• Implemented NetSuite and led efforts in revenue recognition.

Accounts Payable Lead Specialist (Temporary Assignment) - HOMEAWAY - Austin

(2012-02 - 2015-01)

• Managed over 500 U.S. and international payables efficiently.
• Conducted daily tasks including vendor setup, account analysis, GL accounting, purchase order/budget management, and weekly payment processes: Direct Deposit, ACH, and wire transfers.
• Executed month-end processes, Sox compliance implementation, reconciliations, and ensured accuracy in month-end accruals and order entry.

International Bookkeeper/Payroll (Contract) - GWI - AUSTIN, TX

(2010-01 - 2012-02)

• Implemented QuickBooks and ADO processes for a UK company based in Oxford, while managing a team of two to audit and oversee client integration on a new Chart of Accounts and payroll for US and global payments.
• Administered ACH, EFT, and check processing from timesheets while ensuring tax audits per state.
• Oversaw payroll accruals, wage processing, and managed quarterly tax assessments.
• Traveled to Oxford, England for three months to facilitate the implementation and transfer of financial records and payroll.

Accounts Payable Manager for Land Acquisitions - Specialist ILLINOIS, US Accounts Payable (Temporary Assignment) - LENNAR HOMEBUILDING - ILLINOIS, US

(2003-05 - 2010-01)

• Managed over 500 U.S. and international payables effectively.
• Conducted tasks related to vendor setup, account analysis, GL accounting, purchase order/budget management, and processed weekly payments: Direct Deposit, ACH, and wire transfers.
• Executed month-end processes, Sox compliance implementation, and reconciliations while overseeing month-end accruals and order entries.
• Directed a team of 20 during the accounts payable processes.

Payroll Manager - Self FS - Austin,, US

(2025-03 - 2026-02)

Bachelor of Arts - Business, Minor in Accounting - NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (1990 - 1994)