Payroll Partner

As an artist-driven boutique studio, Folks has built a solid reputation in the industry. Through

teamwork and creativity, we value detail-oriented design. From the very beginning, we have

been passionate about capturing the imagination through high-end visual effects. The artists

on our team have been making larger-than-life visual effects for film and television for 10

years, bringing their rich and diverse experience from Montreal, Toronto, Bogot, Saguenay, Mumbai and now London.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Payroll Processing & Operations

• Independently manage end-to-end monthly payroll and Full & Final (FnF) settlements with 100% accuracy covering on-roll employees and FTEs (attendance validation and invoice generation).
• Coordinate with HR to collate payroll inputs (new joiners, exits, salary changes, variable pay, reimbursements, leaves, etc.) and share validated data with the payroll vendor.
• Reconcile payroll outputs, statutory deductions, and net pay prior to finalization and bank file generation.
• Support month-end and year-end payroll closure activities including provisions, payroll-related financial entries, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly MIS and ad-hoc reports as required.

Statutory Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of statutory compliances: PF, ESIC (where applicable), PT, Income Tax, Gratuity, LWF, and other statutory/non-statutory payments.
• Handle PF-related activities including form processing, PF transfers, and employee guidance.
• Prepare and submit statutory and management reports, ensuring alignment of payroll data with finance records.
• Support statutory, internal, and tax audits by preparing required payroll reports, explanations, and reconciliations.
• Maintain attendance registers and leave records; manage any statutory litigation received from relevant departments.

Employee Lifecycle & Benefits Administration

• Process FnF settlements; issue recovery letters, experience letters, and related exit documentation.
• Calculate and verify leave encashment, gratuity trust, and other terminal benefits as applicable.
• Administer variable pay, one-time/recurring payments and deductions; manage NPS enrollments.
• Prepare and upload Pluxee meal benefit files to the vendor portal monthly.
• Manage insurance enrollments, exits, and endorsements

Income Tax & Reimbursements

• Manage annual investment proof communication and coordination for employees via the ESS portal.
• Support processing of car fuel, driver reimbursement, and LTA claims as per policy and payroll calendar.
• Coordinate with the payroll vendor for quarterly TDS returns and ensure Form 16 is publishedwithin statutory timelines (on or before 15 June each year).

Systems, Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the primary SPOC for payroll vendors, insurance partners, and banks for reporting, issue resolution, enhancements, and employee queries.
• Respond to employee payroll queries via email and collaboration tools, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Work closely with HR, Finance, and external consultants to ensure seamless payroll operations.

Documentation & Process Improvement

• Maintain and update payroll SOPs, checklists, calendars, and control documents.
• Identify recurring issues, system gaps, or manual dependencies and drive process improvements and automation wherever feasible.
• Continuously review payroll practices to ensure alignment with new labour codes, tax law changes, and organizational policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 46 years of hands-on experience in India payroll processing, preferably in a mid-to-large
• organization.
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Strong experience with payroll vendors; working knowledge of SAP or similar HRIS platforms
• In-depth understanding of Indian payroll laws, statutory compliances, tax regulations, and HR best practices.
• Proven experience managing high-volume and complex payrolls with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word for reconciliation, reports, and data validation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills able to engage effectively with employees, auditors, vendors, and senior stakeholders.
• High level of integrity and discretion with strict adherence to confidentiality requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Experience in a global or multi-country payroll environment is an added advantage.