Payroll Manager

Hover is looking for a Payroll Manager who wants to own something meaningful — not just run a process. This role is responsible for end-to-end payroll processing, compliance, and continuous improvement, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time every cycle. You'll work directly with Accounting, HR, and Revenue Operations as a trusted partner, not a back-office function — Accounting at Hover has real visibility into how the business runs.

This is a high-autonomy IC role for someone who cares about precision but doesn't want to stay in a lane. You'll own the full payroll lifecycle, actively pursue automation, and bring AI and modern tooling into how we work. Over time, you'll expand into commissions and equity administration — two areas that will give you meaningful exposure to how a scaling tech company manages total compensation. If you want to go deep into accounting fundamentals while building something, this is that opportunity.

• Owning end-to-end U.S. payroll processing (semi-monthly) for exempt and non-exempt employees in a multi-state environment.
• Serving as the primary point of contact with ADP Workforce Now for payroll processing, reporting, and troubleshooting.
• Owning payroll execution for commissions in close partnership with Revenue Operations, ensuring accurate calculation, validation, and timely payout.
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including new state registrations and agency correspondence.
• Partnering with HR to maintain accurate employee data for payroll, benefits, and reporting.
• Performing FSA, HSA, and benefits reconciliations and resolving discrepancies.
• Preparing payroll journal entries and supporting monthly close activities.
• Responding to employee payroll inquiries clearly and promptly.
• Maintaining strong internal controls, documentation, and audit-ready records.
• Supporting year-end audits related to payroll and benefits.

• Supporting administration of employee equity programs, including stock option grants, exercises, and modifications.
• Maintaining accurate equity records and supporting quarterly and year-end audits.

• Actively identifying and implementing automation opportunities across payroll and equity workflows — including the use of AI tools where they add real leverage.
• Redesigning processes to reduce manual work without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.
• Supporting ad hoc payroll, equity, or accounting projects as the business grows.

• 7+ years of payroll experience, with solid exposure to payroll accounting.
• Experience in a fast-paced, technology-forward environment — a high-growth startup or scaling tech company where priorities shift and systems are constantly improving.
• Deep hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets.
• Solid grasp of accounting fundamentals, including journal entries and reconciliations — and genuine interest in going deeper.
• Experience with NetSuite preferred.
• A proactive, detail-oriented working style with comfort operating independently, navigating ambiguity, and driving improvements without being told to.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.

Hover has Hubs in San Francisco and New York City, where we expect that all employees living within a 50-mile radius of our offices will come into their local Hover office at least three times a week to build rapport and foster organic connection. This role is open to remote applicants. 

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $88,000 - $137,000 annually. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all applicable US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

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