Payroll Specialist

For over 40 years, one Company has represented quality & leadership - Highland Homes - where building careers goes hand in hand with excellence in new home construction. Highland’s employees thrive in an atmosphere of appreciation & confidence, contributing their unique ideas to the Company’s overall success. Employee Owned. Customer Focused.

Highland Homes is currently accepting resumes for a Payroll Specialist. This role provides high-level support to the Payroll Manager to process payrolls and perform a variety of payroll-related tasks. 

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Deliver exemplary customer service to Highland Homes Employee Owners with every interaction.


• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, increase efficiency, and enhance system utilization within UKG.

• Responsible for timely and accurate regular payroll processing items, including scheduled, off-cycle, commission and bonus items while maintaining strict confidentiality of information reviewed and processed.


• Process special or exception items including; reversals, voids, deductions and monthly/quarterly/year-end payroll reports and reconciliations.


• Analyze and process incoming payroll paperwork or documentation such as status changes and employee/field-initiated requests.


• Create ad-hoc reports and conduct required system audits using Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) information.


• Research, validate and correct employee data in active payrolls.


• Verify accurate computation of pay according to company policy and in accordance with government regulations and tax codes.


• Document recording of new or changed pay rates in payroll register or computer files.


• Coordinate and enter all Commission data to include advances, recuperation of advances and corrections. 


• Run and Review pre-check payroll reports.


• Maintain payroll records.


• Work closely with Accounting on payroll-related Journal Entries and General Ledger reconciliation


• Respond to employees with paycheck inquiries in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.


• Proactively seek out development opportunities to stay abreast of payroll best practices and payroll law changes


• Act as a back-up to the Payroll Manager as needed, with little to no assistance required.


• Participate in cross-functional meetings, providing valuable insight regarding projects/systems/initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy of payroll processes and outputs.


• Effectively communicate with all levels of management regarding requests for payroll information and special pay instructions.


• Calculate and submit funding requests for employee 401(k), HSA, FSA and UKG Wallet.


• Manage Leave of Absence process regarding timesheets, paycheck modifications and record-keeping.


• Process Garnishments and monitor them for accuracy.


• Other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma. Post-Secondary Degree in Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, Business, or related field strongly preferred.


• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) strongly preferred.


• 5 years of full-cycle payroll experience.


• 5 years of payroll tax experience, with proven knowledge of tax and wage laws.


• 2 years of payroll accounting experience.


• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.


• Strong organizational skills with a keen ability to prioritize and multi-task.


• Strong administrative and data management skills.


• Ability to adhere to and meet deadlines.


• Ability to raise issues proactively and in a timely manner.


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel).


• Proficient in handling sensitive, confidential information.


• Excellent communicator (verbal and written) including the desire to ask questions and learn from others.


• UKG experience strongly preferred.

Highland offers a competitive benefit package, including excellent medical / dental / prescription benefits, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k), new home purchase discounts, & more – all in a business casual atmosphere!  Join the company that recognizes & rewards the people who create their success.  Highland Homes is an Equal Opportunity Employer.