Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist supports the payroll function by analyzing payroll data, ensuring tax and regulatory compliance, and improving payroll processes and controls. This position will act as a key partner to Payroll, HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and efficiency through analysis, auditing, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

Support payroll processing activities by reviewing payroll inputs, outputs, and controls

Analyze payroll data to identify trends, variances, and cost drivers

Prepare and maintain recurring and ad hoc payroll reports for Finance and HR

Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll reporting and close activities

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations

Review tax filings, payments, and reconciliations prepared by vendors or internal teams

Assist with multi-state payroll compliance and jurisdiction setup

Support internal and external payroll audits and respond to audit requests

Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and system efficiencies

Document payroll procedures, workflows, and internal controls

Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, and testing

Drive automation and standardization initiatives to reduce errors and manual work

Partner with HR, Finance, Accounting, and IT to ensure accurate data flow

Qualifications

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred

3–5 years of payroll experience, preferably in a mid-sized or large organization

Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements

Experience reconciling payroll to the general ledger preferred

Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas)

Experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paychex, UKG, Ceridian), preferably Workday

Familiarity with HRIS and accounting software integrations preferred

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

High attention to detail and accuracy

Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement mindset