Payroll Assistant/Timekeeper

Job Title: Payroll Assistant/Timekeeper
Location: New York, NY 10029
Duration: 9 weeks
Shift: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Schedule: 5 days/week, 7 hours/day, 35 hours/week
Work Setting: Onsite
Pay Range: $30-$33/hr.
Schedule Notes: Timekeeping Role Onsite @ Client Location. The Timekeeper is responsible for maintaining accurate employee time and attendance records to support timely and accurate payroll processing. This role ensures time reporting complies with organizational policies, labor agreements, and regulatory requirements. The Timekeeper reviews, audits, and processes employee timesheets, resolves discrepancies, and ensures proper documentation for leave balances, overtime, and other pay-related transactions. This position requires strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience in payroll and timekeeping (including garnishments, taxes, and year-end activities)
• Experience processing payroll for hourly and salaried employees
• Experience reviewing and auditing employee timesheets for accuracy and policy compliance
• Ability to investigate and resolve timekeeping discrepancies and payroll errors
• Experience maintaining documentation supporting payroll transactions
• Analytical skills related to retro calculations of pay and time
• Knowledge of payroll and timekeeping procedures
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in multiple systems simultaneously

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with enterprise HR/payroll systems such as Oracle or PeopleSoft
• Knowledge of union contracts and public sector payroll practices
• Experience supporting large employee populations

Education

Required Education:
• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or related field

Job Summary

The Payroll Assistant supports payroll operations by maintaining accurate employee time and attendance records and ensuring timely payroll processing. This role reviews, audits, and processes employee timesheets, resolves discrepancies, tracks leave usage, and supports payroll adjustments while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Process payroll for hourly and salaried employees
• Assist in entering and paying all wage garnishments
• Process property payroll transfer reports
• Ensure benefit deductions are accurate
• Conduct audits to ensure accuracy and maintain data integrity
• Provide support to leadership team for various accounting related projects

• Review and process employee timesheets for accuracy, completeness, and policy compliance
• Monitor daily time entries, missed punches, and scheduling exceptions
• Audit time entries for overtime, shift differentials, holiday pay, and premium pay eligibility
• Ensure time approvals are completed by supervisors prior to payroll deadlines

• Prepare and submit approved time records and adjustments for payroll processing
• Investigate and resolve timekeeping discrepancies and errors
• Reconcile payroll adjustments related to timekeeping errors or late submissions
• Maintain documentation supporting payroll transactions

• Track and record employee leave usage including annual, sick, comp, FMLA, and other approved absences
• Verify leave balances and ensure appropriate leave codes are applied
• Coordinate with other teams regarding leave of absence
• Update the timekeeping system based on employee status