Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Exempt – Grade Level 5

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Corporate Values & Mission

“Provide superior service, quality advice and show our utmost respect to everyone we meet.”

General Summary

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll for all employees. This role ensures compliance with applicable wage and hour laws, maintains payroll records with a high degree of confidentiality, and provides dependable support to employees and internal partners. The Payroll Specialist works closely with Human Resources and Finance to deliver a consistent, compliant payroll experience that supports employee trust and organizational effectiveness.

Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer, SVP

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule for all employees
• Review and validate timekeeping data, earnings, deductions, and payroll adjustments
• Maintain payroll records, reports, and audit documentation in accordance with retention requirements
• Other administrative duties as assigned

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations
• Administer payroll tax filings, garnishments, benefit deductions, and other required withholdings
• Support internal and external audits related to payroll, compensation, and timekeeping

Employee Support

• Serve as a knowledgeable and responsive resource for employee payroll inquiries
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely and professional manner
• Provide clear explanations regarding pay statements, deductions, and payroll processes
• Manage the SPRY system for the HR department

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate payroll data within the payroll system and HRIS
• Partner with HR and Finance on payroll reconciliations and reporting
• Assist with system testing, upgrades, and process improvements
• Reconciliation of HR general ledgers monthly

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate with HR on new hires, terminations, pay changes, and leaves of absence
• Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll processes, controls, and communication
• Contribute to a service-oriented, detail-focused payroll function
• Continually review journals, articles, publications, and other material to keep abreast of new developments in various job areas.
• May perform specialized or confidential duties, including researching data and preparing reports related to officer’s assignments.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.
• Be familiar with and comply with the provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act as they relate to the functions of this position. Complete all required reports related to those acts and reports any observed violations or potential violations of those acts to a supervisor or other appropriate bank officer.
• Be familiar with and comply with all federal and state banking regulations as applicable.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an Individual in this position must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily and exhibit the values of the Company. In addition, the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Experience and/or Education

Required

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience processing bi-weekly payroll
• Working knowledge of payroll laws, taxes, and compliance requirements
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle highly confidential information
• Proficiency with payroll systems and Microsoft Excel

Preferred

• Experience in a regulated environment such as banking or financial services
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation
• Experience with Paylocity
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines accurately

Competencies 

Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; varies style to meet needs; presents numerical data accurately; able to read and interpret written information.

Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization’s goals and values; supports affirmative action and respects diversity; Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work and the work of others to ensure quality.

Quantity – Meets productivity standards; completes work in a timely manner; strives to increase productivity; works quickly.

Adaptability – Adapts to changes in work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Dependability – Follows instructions; responds to management directions; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes task on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan; consistently at work on time.

Initiative – Undertakes self-development activities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Ability to work in an office environment which may include many hours of computer and telephone usage. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.