Payroll Specialist - US/Canada

United States / Canada · 5+ years experience · Full-time · Remote · Posted Oct 15, 2026

At a glance

Sardine is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage payroll across our global workforce, handling employees in the United States, Canada, and Lithuania.
You will handle contractor and EOR payroll through Rippling and Deel while managing payroll taxes, state registrations, retirement plan funding, and workers' compensation coverage.
You will work closely with People Operations, Finance, and vendors to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

Oversee and execute the end-to-end global payroll across US and other global entities, as well as EOR and contractor arrangements worldwide.
Process off-cycle and correction payroll runs, including retroactive pay, sign-on bonuses, commissions, garnishments, and short-term, long-term, and state disability payments.
Manage relationships and SLA performance with global payroll, EOR, and benefits platforms (Rippling, Deel, Fidelity, Wealthsimple).
Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal controls, and variance reporting standards to ensure 100% precision in period-over-period payroll, off-cycle adjustments, and FX reconciliations.
Support annual payroll compliance reporting for the US, including the preparation, review, and audit of W-2s.
Manage payroll tax registrations, agency notices, quarterly amendments, unemployment claims, and year-end corrections.
Oversee governance, funding, and reconciliation for domestic and international retirement programs (US 401k, Canadian RRSP), resolving complex regulatory or provider challenges.
Partner with People Ops to ensure tax compliance for global equity awards, Carta transactions, sign-on bonuses, garnishments, and short-term/long-term/state disability disbursements.
Manage employee stipends and expense reimbursements.
Support accruals, including commissions, bonuses, payroll taxes, and benefits, and ensure accuracy of payroll-related balance sheet accounts and month-end/year-end reconciliations.

5+ years of payroll experience, including independently processing multi-state US payroll.
Experience with payroll tax compliance and working with state agencies.
Canadian payroll experience is required.
Experience with correction runs, retroactive payments, tax notices, and year-end reporting.
Experience with payroll platforms such as Rippling and Deel, and retirement plan vendors such as Fidelity or Wealthsimple.
Strong knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax requirements.
Strong understanding of payroll accounting, including accruals, liabilities, reconciliations, and year-end reporting.
Experience supporting year-end financial statement audits and preparing payroll audit schedules.
Ability to analyze payroll data, identify discrepancies, and resolve complex issues.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Generous compensation in cash and equity
Early exercise for all options, including pre-vested
Flexible paid time off and Year-end break
Health insurance, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents - US and Canada specific
4% matching in 401k / RRSP - US and Canada specific
MacBook Pro delivered to your door
One-time stipend to set up a home office — desk, chair, screen, etc.
Monthly meal stipend
Monthly social meet-up stipend
Annual health and wellness stipend and Annual Learning stipend