Payroll Specialist job description

A Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing employee compensation accurately and timely, ensuring all payroll transactions comply with federal and state regulations. This role is vital for maintaining employee satisfaction and trust while safeguarding the organization against financial penalties and compliance risks.

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What is a Payroll Specialist?

A Payroll Specialist is a financial professional who manages all aspects of employee compensation within an organization. They ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time, while adhering to complex tax laws and regulatory requirements. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong numerical skills, and a thorough understanding of payroll systems and legislation. Payroll Specialists serve as a critical link between human resources, finance, and employees, handling sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and integrity.

What does a Payroll Specialist do?

Payroll Specialists process payroll cycles, calculate wages, overtime, and deductions accurately, and ensure timely disbursement of employee payments. They maintain and update payroll records, handle tax withholdings, and prepare and submit payroll tax filings to appropriate government agencies. Additionally, they address employee inquiries regarding paychecks, taxes, and benefits deductions, resolve discrepancies, and generate payroll reports for management. They stay current with changing payroll laws and regulations to ensure compliance and may also assist with year-end processes like W-2 and 1099 forms.

Job Overview

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurately processing payroll for all employees, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee information. The ideal candidate will ensure timely and accurate payroll processing while staying current with changing tax laws and compliance requirements.

Payroll Specialist responsibilities include:

1. Process multi-state payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees on a bi-weekly basis 2. Calculate and process wage garnishments, levies, and other deductions in compliance with court orders 3. Maintain and update employee payroll records including tax withholdings, direct deposit information, and deduction changes 4. Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports 5. Process manual checks and terminations as required 6. Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll matters in a timely manner 7. Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports of payroll transactions 8. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws 9. Coordinate with HR regarding new hires, terminations, and changes to employee status 10. Assist with year-end processing including W-2 and 1099 preparation and distribution
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Must-Have Requirements

1. 3+ years of multi-state payroll processing experience 2. Thorough knowledge of payroll tax regulations at federal, state, and local levels 3. Proficiency with major payroll software systems (ADP, Workday, Paychex, or similar) 4. Strong understanding of wage and hour laws including FLSA compliance 5. Experience with garnishment processing and compliance 6. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data entry 7. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information 8. High school diploma or equivalent required

Preferred Qualifications

1. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field 2. FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) or CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) 3. Experience with union payroll requirements and collective bargaining agreements 4. Proficiency with ERP systems integration (SAP, Oracle, or similar) 5. Experience in multi-entity corporate environment with 500+ employees 6. Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and VLOOKUP 7. Knowledge of benefits administration and 401(k) plan contributions

Bonus Skills

1. CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification 2. Experience with international payroll processing 3. Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred) 4. Experience with payroll system implementation or migration 5. Knowledge of SOX compliance requirements for public companies 6. Experience with time and attendance systems integration 7. Advanced problem-solving skills for complex payroll scenarios 8. Experience with equity compensation and stock option processing

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