Payroll Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll Processing
• Process biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees using UKG Pro
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Post weekly timesheets in Deltek Vantagepoint ERP system
• Review and validate timesheets for accuracy in recording overtime, holidays and other special considerations
• Maintain payroll records in UKG Pro, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments
• Ensure accurate benefit deductions through review and reconciliation of missed deductions, prorating calculations, and processing updates in UKG’s Benefits Hub system for each biweekly payroll
• Review and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission; proactively identify and resolve discrepancies
• Ensure accurate tax treatment for multi-state employees and F-1 visa holders
• Partner with the 401(k) service provider to ensure accurate deductions and reporting for employee contribution changes, loans, employer matching contributions, and IRS compliance
• Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, documentation, and internal controls
• System & Data Management
• Maintain and optimize UKG Pro payroll configurations, workflows, and integrations with HRIS, timekeeping, and ERP systems
• Partner with HR and Finance to streamline processes, enhance data accuracy, and implement automation opportunities in Deltek Vantagepoint and UKG Pro
• Compliance & Reporting
• Serve as the subject matter expert for payroll processes, system functionality and compliance, ensuring adherence to FLSA, multi-state wage and tax laws, and company policies
• Prepare, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for Finance and HR leadership
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, taxable benefits, audits, reconciliations, and related compliance reporting
• Review payroll tax filings, reconcile payroll tax liabilities, and coordinate with UKG to resolve notices and discrepancies
• Employee Support
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries, providing clear and timely communication
• Educate employees and managers on payroll processes, timekeeping expectations, and UKG Pro self-service tools
• Parenth with HR to resolve discrepancies or complex payroll issues
• Back-Up to Senior Benefits Specialist
• Provide coverage for benefits administration during absences or peak workload periods
• Aid in enrollment processing, life event changes, and benefits data audits
• Support benefits billing reconciliation and vendor file transmissions
• Respond to employee questions related to health, dental, vision, retirement, and leave programs
• Collaborate with the Senior Benefits Specialist to ensure alignment between payroll and benefits data, especially for deductions, arrears, and taxable benefits

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements
• High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis)
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project-based timekeeping or ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, Oracle, SAP)
• Experience supporting a professional services or engineering consulting workforce
• Knowledge of engineering industry pay structures (e.g., exempt vs. non-exempt positions and project-based allocations)
• CPP or FPC certification

Success Profile

• Detail-driven — catches discrepancies before they become issues
• Tech-savvy — leverages UKG Pro to its fullest potential
• Service-oriented — supports employees with clarity and empathy
• Deadline-focused — thrives in a predictable payroll cycle with occasional project-driven urgency
• Proactive — anticipates issues and implements solutions before they impact employees
• Collaborative — partners seamlessly with HR, Finance, and administrative teams
• Cross-functional — comfortable stepping into benefits administration when needed

Check out our Perks

• Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
• Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
• Certification reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Company-observed paid holidays
• Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
• Company paid short term disability coverage
• Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
• 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
• Wellness program with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program

About the Role

NOVA Engineering and Environmental is currently seeking a Payroll Specialist in our Kennesaw, Georgia office.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including advanced hands-on processing in UKG Pro
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance requirements
• High proficiency with Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis)
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical thinking
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion

Skills

• UKG Pro
• Deltek Vantagepoint ERP system
• Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation and analysis)
• Payroll laws and compliance requirements
• Timekeeping systems
• Benefits administration

Benefits

• Comprehensive group medical insurance, including health, dental and vision
• Opportunity for professional growth and advancement
• Certification reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Company-observed paid holidays
• Company paid life insurance for employee, spouse and children
• Company paid short term disability coverage
• Other supplemental benefit offerings including long-term disability, critical illness, accident and identity theft protection
• 401K retirement with company matching of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions
• Wellness program with incentives
• Employee Assistance Program

Pay

Competitive compensation packages

Schedule

Hybrid role