Payroll Specialist

TriStaff Group - Newburyport, MA

Full-time

Newburyport, MA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule, acting as the primary contact with third-party payroll providers. This role involves managing all accounting activities related to wages and benefits, ensuring compliance with payroll policies and government regulations, and providing backup support for the purchasing department.

Responsibilities

• Processes bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Acts as primary contact with third-party payroll providers.
• Manages and reconciles all employee time worked and other pay, including deductions.
• Verifies all employee deductions for each payroll, including taxes and benefits.
• Audits, analyses, and reconciles multiple payroll reports before finalizing payroll.
• Manages the creation and adjustment of payroll pay and benefit codes alongside ADP.
• Handles year-end payroll tasks including approval of annual W-2s.
• Acts as primary backup for the Purchasing department.
• Manages new state jurisdiction registration and works with CPA for approval.
• Keeps up to date with changing payroll policies and government regulations.
• Prepares manual payroll checks for payroll errors and terminations.
• Works with ADP for quarterly tax adjustments, ensuring accuracy.
• Reconciles monthly health, dental, disability, and life insurance bills to payroll deductions.
• Prepares journal entries on a biweekly basis and provides month-end entry spreadsheet to accounting.
• Prepares monthly reconciliation and journal creation of Flex Spending and Health Plan.
• Creates and audits payroll and headcount reports for external auditors.
• Prepares documentation for annual workers compensation audit and acts as primary contact for auditors.
• Acts as liaison with supervisors to resolve discrepancies in time punches and absences.
• Helps in various ad-hoc payroll projects directed by the manager.

Requirements

• Associates degree required in business, human resources, or similar field; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on experience processing payroll.
• Minimum 3 years experience with ADP payroll system or comparable automated payroll system.
• Minimum 1-year experience with Epicor Accounting system preferred.
• Expert-level knowledge and proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to meet all deadlines consistently.
• Professional communication skills with all levels of staff.
• 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.