Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist
Job Summary
Reporting to the Controller , the Payroll Specialist performs a wide variety of activities necessary to process biweekly payroll for approximately 800 employees, including maintaining related records, processing voluntary and involuntary deductions, handling tax withholdings and other withholdings, preparing reports for operations management, and performing analysis as necessary to support the Finance team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Ensures payrolls are processed promptly and accurately.
• Reviews and processes employees' time worked into the payroll system electronically or uploaded via approved spreadsheets.
• Reviews payroll documentation for accuracy through various reports and makes any necessary adjustments or corrections to ensure the accuracy of earnings and hours worked.
• Processes employee changes in the payroll system via approved personnel change forms, including deductions, garnishments, levies, and benefits.
• Answers inquiries about employment verification, including employee inquiries and requests about payroll matters.
• Works cooperatively with Accounting, Human Resources, and Operations on all payroll-related issues.
• Supplies quality customer service (either written or verbal) to all employees within the Agency.
• Reviews non-exempt personnel time sheets for compliance with wage and hour laws.
• Processes manual checks as requested and approved by management.
• Prepares various payroll reports including the salary matrix.
• Maintains client confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
• Assists Finance with month-end related activities, analysis, and reporting.
• Aids with external audits by supplying supporting records and documentation.
• Performs monthly reconciliation of payroll earnings, cash analysis, and bank reconciling items for review by the Controller.
• Works on all aspects of year-end processing for correct and prompt distribution of W-2 statements.
• Prepares, reconciles, and generates payroll reports for the annual Worker's Compensation audit.
• Ensures accuracy of payroll system calculations and time management system.
• Trains agency staff as proper on the payroll system.
• Maintains policies and procedures for payroll processes.
• Creates monthly payroll statistics for review by Finance leadership.
• Performs related duties as needed.
Qualifications
Education
BA/BS degree preferred or Payroll Certification
Experience
10-15 years of experience in electronic payroll system experience preferred
Required Skills
• Possess excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Working experience of multi-state payroll tax at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Ability to adapt to changing work priorities while meeting deadlines and schedules with frequent interruptions.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Advanced skills in Excel.
• Earlier experience in a non-profit agency is preferred.
• Excellent people skills as well as good verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to be a dynamic team member.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of relevant technology.
• Willingness to learn about all areas in the agency .