(Hybrid) Senior Payroll Specialist

PenFed Credit Union - Alexandria, VA

Full-time - Senior

Alexandria, VA

10,001+ employees

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities

About the position

As a Senior Payroll Specialist at PenFed, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our employees receive their paychecks accurately and on time. This position is based in our Alexandria, Virginia service center and operates in a hybrid work environment. Your primary responsibility will be to process biweekly payroll for all employees, utilizing timesheets, leave requests, and bonus files, while resolving any issues related to missing or incorrect time entries. You will work closely with employees, managers, and various business partners, including human resources and accounting, to manage the full life cycle of timekeeping and payroll. This senior-level role requires a thorough understanding of local, state, and federal tax regulations, as well as wage and hour laws, to ensure compliance in all payroll processes. In addition to processing payroll, you will assist employees and managers with complex timekeeping questions and issues, providing support to other Payroll Specialists as needed. You will be responsible for managing tax withholding and deduction records, ensuring that all necessary forms are submitted electronically where possible. Your role will also involve reviewing and processing wage garnishment requests and answering employee inquiries regarding paychecks and tax issues. You will be expected to recommend changes to payroll systems and procedures in response to evolving tax laws and organizational policies, and you will oversee local and state tax registrations to ensure timely submissions. This position requires a proactive approach to reconciliations for wages, taxes, and balances to support quarterly and annual tax filings, including the preparation of tax returns and filings. You will also assist with audits and examinations conducted by NCUA Examiners and internal auditors, ensuring that all payroll practices adhere to established policies and regulations. Overall, this role is integral to maintaining the integrity of our payroll processes and supporting the financial well-being of our employees.

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll for all employees using timesheets, leave requests, and bonus files.
• Review and resolve issues related to missing or incorrect timesheets and tax setups.
• Assist employees and managers with complex timekeeping questions and issues.
• Ensure accurate completion of all payroll duties within established time parameters and compliance with laws.
• Manage tax withholding and deduction records for all federal, state, and local taxes.
• Ensure completion of necessary payroll-related forms for new hires and existing employees.
• Review and process wage garnishment requests and child support orders.
• Answer employee questions regarding paychecks and withholding tax issues.
• Review direct deposit transmittal information and obtain management approval.
• Review wire requests for tax payments and obtain management approval.
• Recommend changes to payroll systems and procedures based on tax law changes.
• Responsible for reconciliations for wages, taxes, and balances for tax filings.
• Prepare tax returns and filings, obtaining management approval for submissions.
• Review and complete information for journal entries as needed for Accounting.
• Oversee local and state tax registrations and conduct ongoing audits.
• Assist with periodic examinations and audits by NCUA Examiners and auditors.

Requirements

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in payroll processing.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state tax regulations.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Payroll highly preferred.
• Ability to sustain knowledge of changing technology and industry practices.

Nice-to-haves

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred.

Benefits

• Robust medical, dental, and vision plan options.
• Plenty of paid time off.
• 401k with employer match.
• On-site fitness facilities at larger locations.