Sr. Payroll Specialist

Alverno College - Milwaukee, WI

Full-time

Milwaukee, WI

Educational Services

About the position

The Sr. Payroll Specialist at Alverno College plays a crucial role in the Human Resources department, reporting directly to the Director of Human Resources. This position is responsible for the expert preparation and processing of payroll, ensuring accuracy in reporting and reconciliation, and maintaining payroll data within the ADP Work Force Now HRIS System. The Sr. Payroll Specialist will identify opportunities for process improvements related to payroll and will be tasked with creating and maintaining documentation and training for internal users. The role requires ensuring the timely and accurate processing of Alverno's bi-weekly payroll for various employee categories, including hourly and salaried employees, students, and adjunct faculty. This includes managing salary deferrals, deductions, variable and incentive payments, as well as handling withholding orders, garnishments, and payroll account reconciliations. The specialist will coordinate the flow and maintenance of employee data, manage the electronic timekeeping system, and ensure valid data transfers. In addition to payroll processing, the Sr. Payroll Specialist will resolve issues related to ACH reversals, stop payments, refunds, voids, and adjustments. They will assist ADP Comprehensive Services with quarterly and year-end preparation and W2 processing. As an administrative user within the HRIS system, the specialist will verify new hires and terminations, perform employee maintenance, and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations. The role also involves completing unemployment verifications, reference checks, and responding to payroll inquiries from state and government agencies. The Sr. Payroll Specialist will audit work to identify opportunities for improving procedures and systems, provide customer service that is solution-focused, and communicate HR policies and regulations to employees. They must stay current on legal requirements and other responsibilities assigned by management to ensure effective resource utilization and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the timely and accurate processing of Alverno's bi-weekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees, students, and adjunct faculty.
• Coordinates to ensure proper flow and maintenance of employee data; manages the electronic timekeeping system and ensures valid data transfers.
• Resolves issues associated with ACH reversals, stop payments, refunds, voids, and adjustments.
• Assists ADP Comprehensive Services with quarterly/year-end preparation and W2 processing.
• Acts as an administrative user within the HRIS system (ADP); verifies new hires and terminations and performs employee maintenance.
• Performs detailed review and analysis before, during, and after processing to ensure accuracy and compliance with internal policies and controls as well as external regulations and requirements.
• Completes unemployment verifications/correspondences, reference checks, employment verifications, and other payroll-related administrative tasks.
• Maintains/track payroll-related materials for personnel files and responds to payroll inquiries from state/government agencies.
• Audits work and identifies opportunities for improving procedures and systems.
• Provides customer service that is solution-focused and serves as the primary contact for questions from departments relating to timesheets and payroll.
• Communicates HR policies, procedures, laws, standards, and other government regulations to employees.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by keeping current on existing and new legislation and policies.
• Performs other responsibilities and duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Associates degree or Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with a major in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Four years of payroll processing experience, including the full payroll cycle and year-end process.
• Highly proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite of products: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, Outlook.
• Broad knowledge of policies and legal requirements regarding employment, payroll, benefits, and employee relations.
• Working knowledge and understanding of how to apply relevant laws and regulations relating to payroll within the United States.
• Exceptionally detail-oriented with a keen attention to detail and emphasis with numbers.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders (internal and external).
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to navigate organizations to build relationships and garner support.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently; exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and good judgement; ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Flexible and comfortable working under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Previous experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Previous experience with higher education.
• Previous experience with other Enterprise Systems a plus.
• FPC or CPP certification, as identified by the American Payroll Association.
• HR Generalist experience with payroll experience a plus.
• PHR, as identified by HRCI or SHRM-CP, as recognized by SHRM a plus.