Experienced Payroll Specialist with a Finance or Accounting Background

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of multi-state payroll, with a strong focus on payroll controls, reconciliations, and financial accuracy. This role partners closely with Accounting to ensure payroll journals, benefit invoices, and payroll-related bank activity are clearly understood, reconciled, and auditable. The Payroll Specialist proactively identifies and resolves payroll issues, improves payroll system setup, and ensures payroll data is clear, detailed, and reliable before payroll is finalized.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Payroll Processing & Accuracy

•  Process bi-weekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees across multiple states and pay groups
• Review payroll for accuracy prior to submission, identifying pay discrepancies, missing hours, incorrect rates, or deductions before payroll is finalized
• Ensure payroll runs clearly reflect worked hours, pay types, overtime, differentials, and deductions
• Set up and maintain pay codes, deduction codes, cost centers, and payroll rules to ensure payroll detail is transparent and auditable prepare off-cycle payrolls including bonuses, adjustments, and final pay

Accounting & Financial Partnership

• Prepare and review payroll journals and ensure accurate posting to the general ledger
• Reconcile payroll liabilities, payroll clearing accounts, and related bank transactions
• Understand and track what payroll-related expenses are being deducted from company bank accounts and why
• Review, track, and reconcile Paycor invoices and benefit-related payroll invoices
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, taxes, and wage & hour compliance

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Prepare and support quarterly and annual payroll tax filings and reporting
• Assist with payroll tax audits and respond to payroll-related reporting requests

System Optimization & Process Improvement

• Proactively improve payroll system setup to ensure clarity, accuracy, and ease of reporting
• Identify payroll process gaps and implement fixes without needing step-by-step direction
• Develop and document payroll procedures and controls

Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with HR to receive and validate employee changes (new hires, terminations, pay changes)
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred
•  3+ years of payroll experience for a multi-state employer
• Strong experience partnering with Accounting or Finance teams
• Demonstrated experience with payroll reconciliations, journals, and audits
• Experience with Paycor or similar payroll systems strongly preferred
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and ability to spot issues before payroll is finalized
• Ability to work independently and proactively improve processes