About this role
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Position: Payroll Specialist
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Position Summary: The Payroll Specialist helps support our payroll function for our growing client base and is responsible for all payroll-related processing activities.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Provide day-to-day payroll processing support for scheduled and off-cycle payrolls.
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Import or manually enter payroll changes (hours, employee updates, earnings, deductions, tax overrides, etc.).
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Calculate payroll and confirm accurate entry of client-provided payroll data by generating control totals for import files and performing manual reviews.
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Respond timely and accurately to client inquiries via email, case management, and phone.
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Partner with Payroll Supervisors on special projects to support clients.
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Manage and support an assigned book of business.
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Marginal Functions:
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Build, maintain, and promote relationships with team members, peers across disciplines, and other company staff to ensure effective coordination of communications and client services.
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Attend webinars and training to stay current on company and departmental best practices.
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Complete projects and other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Demonstrates effective time management, accurate recordkeeping, and completion of payroll tasks per schedules and compliance requirements.
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Ability to multi-task while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and interact professionally at all levels.
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Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel formulas, pivot tables, data validation) and Outlook (email management, scheduling).
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Uses analytical thinking to troubleshoot payroll issues, interpret data, and determine solutions quickly and confidently.
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Exercises good judgment when evaluating situations, identifying problems, and determining courses of action.
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Proven ability to partner with HR, Finance, and Operations to resolve payroll-related issues and ensure compliant processing.
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Education & Experience:
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High school diploma or equivalent; relevant non-traditional degree programs, certifications, or job training programs are acceptable.
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Minimum of one year of customer service experience.
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Payroll experience preferred but not required.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ability to learn other applications as needed.
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Physical Demands:
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Sedentary work: remains seated for extended periods at a desk or computer.
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Manual dexterity: frequent use of hands and fingers to operate keyboard, mouse, printer, mail machines, and other office equipment.
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Mobility: occasionally moves about the office for meetings, file retrieval, or collaboration.
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Visual acuity: frequently reads detailed numerical data, spreadsheets, and system interfaces on screens and in print.
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Lifting & carrying: occasional lifting/carrying of office supplies (typically less than 15 lbs.).
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Mental Demands:
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Attention to detail: review, verify, and enter payroll hours, deductions, earnings, and tax adjustments with precision.
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Problem-solving: interpret payroll data, identify discrepancies, calculate adjustments, and determine corrective actions.
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Multitasking and task prioritization: manage multiple tasks and an assigned book of business under tight deadlines.
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Adaptability: adjust to changing client requirements, system updates, or unexpected payroll issues.
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Confidentiality and discretion: handle sensitive employee information, compensation data, and tax details in compliance with privacy and security standards.
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Concentration: maintain focus during repetitive or detailed tasks (manual data entry, auditing, reconciliation).
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Stress management: handle stressful situations calmly and effectively when addressing client concerns.
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Communication Demands:
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Interpersonal skills: build relationships and communicate effectively with employees, managers, clients, and vendors; maintain positive, professional client relationships.
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Cultural sensitivity: communicate respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
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Conflict resolution: handle escalations and client frustrations with patience, clarity, and solutions orientation.
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Active listening: gather necessary information from clients to resolve payroll discrepancies or understand requested changes.
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Written communication: draft accurate, timely responses via email and case systems; document issues and resolutions clearly.
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Verbal communication: respond to client inquiries by phone, explain payroll processes, and provide guidance on payroll questions.
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Environmental Conditions:
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Works in a professional, climate-controlled office with consistent lighting, temperature, and noise levels.
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Computer-intensive role requiring extended sitting, frequent monitor use, and sustained visual focus while reviewing detailed payroll data.
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Regular interaction with clients and internal teams via email, phone, and virtual platforms; handles confidential employee information per privacy and security standards.
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Disclaimer:
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This job description does not list all duties; employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and perform other duties as requested by management.
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Management may add, revise, or delete information in this job description.
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Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
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This document does not create an employment contract. Employment remains at-will.
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Benefits:
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Health Insurance: medical, dental, and vision coverage.
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Retirement Plan: 401(k) with company match.
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Paid Time Off: PTO, holidays, parental leave, and sick leave as required by applicable state law.
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Other Benefits: life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, employee assistance program (EAP), flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), identity theft protection, critical illness, accident, cancer, hospital protection, legal and pet insurance.
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Additional Compensation: [e.g., signing bonus, commission structure] if applicable.