Sahar Saeed

Director, Payroll Systems & Tax

Hauppauge, New York, United States

About

I’m a seasoned Payroll and Tax Director with 15 years of experience building and managing complex payroll operations and tax compliance frameworks for organizations with both national and global footprints. Throughout my career, I’ve led large-scale system implementations, transitioned teams from manual to automated processes, and developed policies that ensure full compliance with federal, state, and international tax regulations. My leadership style is grounded in accountability, transparency, and collaboration. I thrive in fast-paced environments where precision, efficiency, and regulatory alignment are essential. Whether I’m guiding a payroll team, optimizing system integrations, or managing vendor relationships, my focus is always on delivering accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations that support broader business goals. From overseeing payroll for thousands of employees across 50 states and 30+ countries to ensuring SOX and year-end compliance in the U.S. and Canada, I bring a proactive, solutions-driven approach to every challenge. I’m passionate about building strong teams, streamlining operations, and driving financial integrity at every level.

Experience

  • Director, Payroll Systems & Tax at Coupa Software
    Jul 2022 - Jun 2025 · 3 yrs

    I have effectively led payroll operations and compliance initiatives, driving significant improvements in efficiency and accuracy. • Championed the migration from paper-based to automated systems, enhancing payroll processing speed by 30%. • Trained and mentored payroll representatives, ensuring adherence to policies and fostering financial accountability. • Monitored state unemployment tax accounts across all 50 states, ensuring timely payments and compliance.

  • VP, Finance - Americas Head of Payroll at MSCI Inc.
    Jun 2021 - Jun 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Senior Global Payroll Manager at Peloton Interactive
    Apr 2021 - Jun 2021 · 3 mos

    Senior Global Payroll Manager

  • Yext (3 yrs 1 mo)
    • Senior Manager, Payroll Accounting
      Mar 2021 - Apr 2021 · 2 mos

    • Manager of Payroll Accounting
      Apr 2018 - Apr 2021 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Payroll Accountant at Shutterstock
    Apr 2015 - Apr 2018 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    I am responsible for the upload of payroll cycles for over 850 employees globally. I work closely with the HR team serving as an intermediary across HR and Finance. Some of my main duties include managing the GL mapping; preparing monthly payroll journal entries to the GL; and reconciling totals across systems. Other duties include preparing monthly payroll accruals for salary, taxes, PTO, 401k match, benefit allocations, and other personnel related accounts; supervising prepaid and fixed assets account; auditing cost centers assignments; and reconciliation of stock option exercises to the GL.