Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Specialist
Job Location: Newburyport, MA 01950
Job Duration: 06+ Months (Possibilities of Extension)
Shift: Work shift - (Mon-Fri) (08:30am 5:00 pm)
Par Rate: $26.00-$29.00/hr

Pre Screening Question:

1) What type of reconciliation do you do before finalizing payroll?
2) What are some of the issues you have been able to solve in payroll? What areas you feel you need to work on?

Job Description:

The Payroll Specialist processes the bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule. Acts as primary contact with third-party payroll providers. Responsible for all accounting activities related to wages and benefits and provides backup support for purchasing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS*

Manages and reconciles all employee time worked and other pay, including deductions. Verifies all employee deductions for each payroll, including taxes, benefits, and others.

Audits, analyses, and reconciles multiple payroll reports to ensure changes made are accurate before finalizing the biweekly payroll.

Manages the creation and/or adjustment of all payroll pay and benefit codes alongside ADP.

Manages all year-end payroll tasks including but not limited to approval of annual W-2s.

Acts as the primary backup for the Purchasing department.

Manages new state jurisdiction registration. Works with CPA to get final approval before submitting registration to the state.

Keeps up to date with changing payroll policies and government regulations via ADP notifications and applies changes when needed.

Prepares manual payroll checks relating to payroll errors and or terminations.

Works with ADP when quarterly tax adjustments are needed. This is highly sensitive work and must be 100% correct as it affects employees W-2 forms.

Reconciles monthly health, dental, disability, and life insurance bills to the payroll deductions and approves them for payment.

Prepares journal entries on a biweekly basis. Provides final month-end entry spreadsheet to accounting.

Prepares the monthly reconciliation and journal creation of Flex Spending and Health Plan. Submits to accounting for month-end entry.

Creates and/or audits payroll and headcount reports for external auditor(s).

Prepares supporting documentation for annual workers compensation audit and acts as primary contact for external auditor.

Acts as liaison with supervisors to resolve discrepancies in terms of in and out punches, authorized overtime, shift differentials, or reasons for absences, either paid or unpaid.

Helps in various ad-hoc payroll projects directed by his or her manager.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Follow and remain current with changes in tax and deduction laws.

Participates in ADP educational opportunities and recommends process improvements.

Updates all payroll-related SOPs as needed for changes in process, roles, and software application.

Supports and provides backup for other accounting and/or purchasing tasks.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Associates degree required in business, human resources, or similar field. Bachelors degree preferred.

Minimum 3- 5 years required showing demonstrated hands-on work experience processing payroll.

Minimum 3 years experience required with ADP payroll system or comparable automated payroll system .

Minimum 1-year experience with Epicor Accounting system (purchasing department support) strongly preferred.

Possesses expert-level knowledge and proficiency in using MS Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ensures that all deadlines are met consistently.

Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with all levels of staff within the organization, including oral or written communication.

Possesses a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to work independently or in a team environment with minimal supervision.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.