Payroll Specialist

About the role

The Payroll Specialist provides accurate and timely payroll services to all Acumen Fiscal Agents client employees and vendors. This includes payment of client employees' payroll by accurately calculating pay and all deductions, issuing checks in a timely manner, and maintaining all payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering data into the system.

Responsibilities

• Exceed customer (internal and external) expectations by building productive relationships and taking responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Process timecards in the payroll software to generate checks, direct deposits, and reports; analyze various reports to ensure accuracy and completeness of payroll.
• Communicate with internal and external customers to answer questions and provide guidance on policies and procedures.
• Update payroll records by entering changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, deductions, job titles, functions, and client information.
• Maintain the master file of time sheets and all other payroll-related documentation.
• Prepare reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, disability, and non-taxable wages.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information.
• Provide payroll information by answering questions and requests as needed.
• Maintain payroll operations by following policies and procedures, and reporting needed changes.
• Protect payroll operations by keeping information confidential.
• Contribute to team effort and success by accomplishing goals and objectives.
• Handle customer inquiries via phone and email in a fast-paced environment.
• Prioritize and meet rigid deadlines.
• Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.
• Support the positive compliant cybersecurity company posture by familiarizing yourself with all policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.

Team Member Responsibilities

• Take personal responsibility for actions, demonstrated through owning problems and problem-solving.
• Demonstrate excellence in work standards and tenacity in completing tasks.
• Effectively problem-solve and make decisions, including resolving crisis situations and developing resolutions between parties.
• Work well with other team members and departments.
• Interact and cooperate using respectful relations to efficiently accomplish mutual goals and assignments.
• Request support from the team with ample time to meet deadlines.
• Ensure effectiveness in processes to achieve or seek best practices.

Communication Skills

• Excellent communication and relationship skills with all stakeholders, including clients, state entities, and colleagues.
• Ability to effectively and respectfully interact with a client base that has varying levels of ability, educational backgrounds, authority, and ethnicities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to speak in public, including conducting trainings.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external customers to accomplish tasks or reach understanding diplomatically and respectfully.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• A background in Customer Service, Client Service, Operations, Payroll, or Financial systems.
• Advanced Excel Skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, etc.).
• Ability to learn new software quickly.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact respectfully and effectively with others.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage time in a time-sensitive environment.
• High standard of integrity and sound business ethics.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and email.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, task-focused with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and with limited supervision.
• Ability to work within deadlines and in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work overtime, including weekends, to meet high-volume demands.

Equipment Used

• Telephone and headset, computer, multiple screens.
• Copier, scanning system, printer, postage machine, calculator, and fax machines.
• Other office equipment as needed.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Ability to sit for extended periods while entering data into multiple systems.
• Regular use of fingers, hands, arms, and eyes to input data and fold/cut paper.
• Ability to answer phones and respond to team members and internal customers.
• Operate and maintain office equipment requiring repetitive motion of fingers, hands, arms, and eyes.
• Frequent standing, walking, and talking for an hour or more.
• Vision ability including close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions with specific deadlines.