Payroll Specialist

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for hourly, salaried, and temporary employees, including timekeeping imports, payroll adjustments, direct deposit updates, tax changes, garnishments, and other payroll transactions.
• Perform comprehensive payroll audits and reconciliations between payroll, HRIS, and time & attendance systems to identify discrepancies, ensure data integrity, and proactively resolve issues prior to payroll processing.
• Execute pre- and post-payroll validation procedures, internal controls, and payroll reporting to ensure payroll accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Administer variable compensation payments, including bonuses, incentives, retroactive pay adjustments, and other earnings.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll regulations by accurately managing payroll taxes, wage garnishments, unemployment claims, year-end reporting, and statutory filings.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation in accordance with legal, regulatory, audit, and company retention requirements, while supporting internal and external audits.
• Identify payroll, compliance, and system-related risks, recommend process improvements, and partner with HR, Finance, and vendors to enhance payroll operations and controls.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing timely resolution of employee issues while delivering a high level of customer service and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a payroll role within a professional setting is preferred.
• Proficiency in payroll software (such as Paylocity or ADP).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Excel (including formulas), Word, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage high volumes of data with accuracy.
• Capable of handling multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Must demonstrate exceptional judgment, discretion, and professional courtesy at all times.
• Knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, including understanding varying state and local tax requirements.