Katrina A. Figueroa

About Katrina A. Figueroa

As a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) with a Master’s in Business Administration and Finance, I bring over 16 years of leadership experience in payroll operations and compliance across diverse industries, including oil and gas, retail, and electrical infrastructure. Currently serving as the Director of North American Payroll, I oversee strategic payroll operations for the U.S. and Canada, ensuring seamless, compliant, and efficient processes that support organizational growth and employee satisfaction.My expertise spans all functional areas of payroll management, with a proven track record in driving operational excellence, implementing advanced technologies, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. I specialize in process optimization, system transformation, and vendor relationship management, leveraging tools like Dayforce to enhance accuracy and efficiency.A resourceful and analytical leader, I excel at identifying and resolving inefficiencies, motivating high-performing teams, and collaborating across functions to achieve enterprise-wide goals. My ability to align payroll operations with broader business objectives underscores my commitment to strategic leadership and continuous improvement.In addition to managing end-to-end payroll processes, I have extensive experience in vendor selection and management. I assess organizational needs, evaluate vendor capabilities, and ensure alignment with business priorities to maximize value and operational fit.As a clear communicator with strong analytical and interpersonal skills, I am committed to fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence. My passion lies in building scalable, efficient payroll frameworks that not only meet today’s demands but also prepare organizations for future growth.

Experience

1. Director of North American Payroll

   Powell

   Oct 2024 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Executive leader driving transformative payroll operations across North America, building scalable, efficient, and compliant payroll systems to support organizational growth.• Strategic Payroll Leadership: Direct payroll operations across the U.S. and Canada with a focus on alignment, standardization, and scalability, positioning payroll as a critical enabler of business goals.• Process Optimization: Streamline payroll workflows using technologies like Dayforce, driving automation to improve accuracy and operational efficiency. • Compliance Strategy: Establish robust frameworks to navigate complex tax regulations, ensuring adherence across all jurisdictions and mitigating risk. • System Transformation: Lead payroll system implementations and upgrades, managing all phases from planning to execution, and aligning solutions with evolving business needs. • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with HR, Finance, and IT to integrate payroll with broader strategies, ensuring alignment in policy, process, and performance metrics. • Performance Metrics: Develop and analyze payroll performance indicators, providing actionable insights to senior leadership and driving continuous improvement. • Vendor Management: Oversee relationships with payroll vendors, ensuring service quality, compliance, and alignment with organizational objectives. • Certified Payroll Compliance: Ensure accurate reporting for prevailing wage projects, embedding compliance to support market growth and reputation. • M&A Integration: Lead payroll due diligence and integration during mergers and acquisitions, aligning compensation and benefits structures for seamless transitions.• Team Development: Build a high-performing payroll team, mentoring future leaders and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation to support organizational scaling.

Education

• East Texas A&M University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration, Management and Operations

  2017 — 2019

• University of Houston

  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Finance, General

Skills

• Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• Sap HR
• Human Resources Information Systems (Hris)
• Adp Payroll
• Cats
• Tax
• Lawson Hris
• Integration
• Kronos Timekeeping
• Financial Reporting
• Microsoft Access
• Business Process Improvement
• Deferred Compensation
• Federal & State Income Tax Compliance
• Benefits Administration
• Account Reconciliation
• Peoplesoft
• Accruals
• Accounts Payable
• Microsoft Excel
• Spinifexit
• Payroll
• Time Management
• Executive Pay
• General Ledger
• Payroll Conversions
• Finance
• Auditing
• Sap Fico
• Year-End Close
• Payroll Taxes
• Payroll Implementation
• Journal Entries
• Sap Products
• Cash Flow
• Performance Management
• Financial Statements
• Microsoft Office
• Federal & State Regulatory Compliance
• Microsoft Word