Payroll Specialist

About Anthony & Sylvan: For nearly 80 years, we’ve been turning backyard dreams into reality as the nation’s largest and most recognizable name in swimming pools. Founded in 1946, we design and build quality inground pools across the U.S., while also offering renovations, modernizations, and ongoing maintenance services. We’re growing fast and seeking candidates who take pride in craftsmanship, value teamwork and safety, and are ready to grow with us.

About the Role

As a Payroll Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant multi-state payroll processing for employees across the organization. In this role, you will manage payroll administration through Rippling, including payroll audits, earnings and deductions, garnishments, payroll reporting, employee inquiries, and payroll-related compliance activities. Beyond payroll, you'll serve as a key partner to HR, Accounting, Operations, and divisional leaders by supporting reconciliations, reporting, project accounting activities, and process improvements. This position is ideal for a highly organized professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving problems, and takes pride in delivering exceptional accuracy, service, and confidentiality when handling employee and financial information.

Responsibilities

Payroll Administration

• Process regular and off-cycle payroll accurately and timely through Rippling.
• Review, audit, and validate payroll data, including hours worked, paid time off, overtime, commissions, bonuses, earnings, deductions, and adjustments.
• Process voluntary and involuntary deductions, including benefit deductions, retirement plan deductions, garnishments, levies, and other payroll-related withholdings.
• Review payroll reports prior to submission to identify discrepancies, errors, or unusual activity.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in partnership with HR, managers, employees, and the payroll provider as needed.
• Monitor payroll communications and respond to employee and manager payroll questions in a timely, professional, and confidential manner.
• Support payroll tax, wage reporting, unemployment, and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review and related audit support.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable payroll regulations, wage and hour requirements, company pay policies, and payroll best practices.
• Assist managers and employees with payroll-related system processes, including timekeeping, approvals, and payroll deadlines.

Accounting Support

• Provide support for general accounting activities.
• Support project accounting activities, including reviewing project-related transactions, identifying discrepancies, and assisting with follow-up and resolution.
• Assist with accounts receivable and accounts payable processes as needed.
• Review and research accounting transactions to ensure proper classification, coding, and documentation.
• Prepare ad hoc reports, reconciliations, schedules, and analysis for Accounting, Finance, HR, Operations, and management.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and accounting processes, controls, reporting, and documentation.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure sensitive payroll, employee, financial, and customer information is handled confidentially.
• Perform other accounting, payroll, and administrative duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ years of direct payroll processing experience, including multi-state payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing practices, procedures, and controls.
• Experience with Rippling highly preferred; experience with a comparable payroll or HRIS platform required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, as well as Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage payroll deadlines and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting accounting processes, including account reconciliations, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and/or project accounting.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality when handling employee payroll and financial information.