Payroll Specialist

CommonSail Investment Group - Brighton, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Brighton, MI

About the position

The Payroll Specialist at CommonSail Investment Group is responsible for processing payroll for all employees while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations across multiple states in the US. This role requires a detail-oriented individual with experience in payroll processing, payroll software, and tax regulations. The Payroll Specialist will maintain accurate payroll records and address any discrepancies or employee concerns regarding payroll.

Responsibilities

• Accurately process bi-weekly payroll for all employees, including salaried, hourly, and commission-based workers.
• Ensure proper deductions for taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other voluntary or involuntary deductions.
• Keep detailed and accurate records of payroll transactions, including employee earnings, hours worked, leave balances, tax withholdings, and other relevant data.
• Process time sheets accurately.
• Process wage garnishments and deductions as required by law.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and company policies regarding payroll, tax filing, and benefits administration.
• Address and resolve any payroll-related issues or discrepancies, including addressing employee questions or concerns regarding their paychecks.
• Handle sensitive employee data and payroll information with discretion and in compliance with company confidentiality policies and data protection laws.
• Generate payroll reports for accounting and management, including reports on salaries, bonuses, benefits, taxes, and deductions.
• Work closely with the HR and finance teams to ensure proper administration and address any discrepancies related to employee records, compensation, and deductions.
• Stay current on changes in payroll laws, tax codes, and industry best practices to ensure compliance.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience in payroll processing (typically 2-3 years), including handling payroll for a large number of employees.
• Proficiency in payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paychex, Paycom, Ceridian) and MS Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, deductions, and benefits; knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail to ensure error-free payroll processing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively address employee concerns and collaborate with team members.
• Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Strong sense of discretion and ability to maintain confidential information.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamentals of Payroll (FPC) is a plus.
• Experience in HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) or integration of payroll systems with HR systems.
• Familiarity with labor laws, overtime policies, and various payroll-related legislation.