Payroll Specialist

Summary:

The Payroll Specialit is responsible for overseeing timely and accurate management of the payroll services and related functions for multiple entities and multiple locations.  Additional responsibilities include accurate maintenance of the payroll systems used, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data; performing all functions involved in preparing, analyzing, reconciling, balancing and reporting payroll activity while assisting with administration of benefits and retirement plans; knows how to lawfully implement any and all court ordered deductions received; ensure accurate reporting.  The Payroll Specialist will work with the Accounting Department on the payroll general ledger processing which includes accurate and timely monthly reports for funding, journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations.

Essential Functions:

• Processes employee status changes (including new hires, terminations, transfers/promotions), payroll and employee expenses, assists with the reconciliation of general ledger accounts as needed, creates on-going month-end, quarterly, and year-end organization reports, and performs other rated duties as assigned
• Reconciles payroll deposits, tax withholdings, wage garnishments, and voluntary deductions
• Is knowledgeable of the federal and state laws involving child support, court ordered deductions and voluntary deductions; understands and can administer court ordered priorities laws
• Ensures that payroll-related transactions are processed in compliance with external and internal policies and audits payroll information for accuracy
• Performs actions necessary to track and determine regular and overtime pay, and factors commission-based income or bonuses into an employee's salary
• Calculates and processes Federal and State tax and social security withholdings, deductions, insurance, benefits and 401(k) contributions
• Reconciles errors and maintains payroll records
• Reviews and processes payroll adjustments, including vacation, sick, and other time off
• Generates accrual entries, as required
• Fields and responds to payroll inquiries and resolves discrepancies as required
• Maintains knowledge of rules and laws which govern the payroll administration practices
• Implement new properties and/or pay groups as needed
• Troubleshoot and resolve Payroll, Labor and Time & Attendance Systems as needed
• Understands the purpose of Standard Operating Procedures and assists in the writing and reviewing of internal documents to maintain Payroll Standard Operating Procedures
• Works with Accounting on the payroll general ledger processing which includes accurate and timely monthly journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations and funding.
• Provide expert consulting regarding payroll initiatives and tools to facilitate overall organizational performance, including organizational reports (auditing I9's, performance reviews, staffing levels, average hours worked, and company bonus plans).
• Establish and direct payroll internal controls with the emphasis on maintaining data integrity and security, as well as process design/compliance and improvement
• Prepare and submit all weekly, biweekly, quarterly, monthly and annual reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and non-taxable wages
• Maintain employee confidence and protect payroll operations by keeping information confidential
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; review professional publications; establish personal networks; participate in professional societies
• Provide and coordinate training to Managers and Associate Managers as it relates to payroll practices, processes and systems
• Other duties and ad hoc reports as deemed necessary

Other Requirements:

• Experience establishing payroll strategy and leading major change within a shared services environment
• Strong working knowledge of payroll, time and labor and GL systems
• Proficiency with US garnishment rules and federal/state regulations
• Experience in process definition, problem solving and analysis, and change management
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills with a demonstrated ability to bring individuals and groups to consensus agreements
• Intermediate user of Excel – must know formulas and how to apply
• Ability to identify and foresee issues and apply general rules and best practices to resolve with logic
• Strong problem solving/analytical skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Experience in multi-state payroll with federal/state tax and regulation knowledge
• Excellent PC skills including a strong knowledge and proficiency in Excel and Abra
• High degree of professionalism and work ethic in dealing with confidential and sensitive information

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business or related field or relative years of experience
• FPC (Fundamentals of Payroll Certification) preferred but not required
• Hospitality industry experience a plus

Years of Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive payroll and human resources experience with 1,000 + employees located at work locations and within multiple entities
• Experience on managing and processing the entire pay-run per pay-group from start to finish
• Experience of a successful implementation and transition of a HRIS/payroll system, Paychex a plus
• Experience in the hospitality industry preferred

Key Competencies:

• Complete understanding of how Payroll and General Ledger affect each other and understand accounting principles
• Understand differences between business reimbursements and other types of reimbursements
• Understand discretionary vs non-discretionary bonuses and how they affect employees’ pay
• Knowledge of taxable and non-taxable deductions
• Knowledge of employer provided benefits – various types of benefits offered
• Proficient knowledge of report writing as it relates to payroll and benefits
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills at a professional level
• Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Hands-on approach to problem solving and analysis.
• Excellent Analytical Skills
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to effectively Multi-task
• Ability to work effectively with little supervision
• Others, as required

Benefits

• Working with a dynamic team of people!
• Great opportunity with a growing company
• Medical/Dental/LTD/STD/Life Insurance/Vacation, PTO and 401K
• Team member travel discount