Sr. Payroll Specialist

Beacon Communities - Boston, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Boston, MA

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

About the position

The Sr. Payroll Specialist is a critical role within the Company, responsible for managing the entire payroll cycle, including payroll taxes, internal payroll reporting, and compliance with external reporting requirements. This position is unique as the sole payroll practitioner, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of payroll processing. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in handling multi-state payrolls and non-exempt timekeeping, along with a solid grasp of relevant wage and hour laws. Excellent customer service skills are essential, as the Sr. Payroll Specialist will interact with various stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing. The role requires the ability to work independently while also collaborating with the HR team to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of employee data. In this position, the Sr. Payroll Specialist will manage the end-to-end payroll process for both weekly and bi-weekly payrolls, ensuring compliance with federal and state taxation and wage regulations. Responsibilities include investigating and resolving payroll discrepancies, processing employee changes, reviewing timecard data, and staying updated on payroll and tax regulations. The Sr. Payroll Specialist will also manage quarterly adjustments, year-end W2 reports, and the garnishment life cycle for affected employees. Additionally, the role involves providing information for various audits and running ad-hoc reports to improve system accuracy. Success in this position is defined by the ability to deliver timely and accurate payroll, effective communication with the HR team, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll process for multi-state weekly and bi-weekly payrolls, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Investigate, validate, and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Process and audit employee changes such as deductions, garnishments, pay rate changes, and terminations.
• Review timecard data for completion and compliance with regulations and company standards.
• Stay updated on payroll and tax regulations, providing recommendations for best practices.
• Manage quarterly adjustments and year-end W2 reports.
• Oversee the garnishment life cycle for impacted employees according to regulations.
• Provide information for audits, including annual payroll audits and benefit plan audits.
• Complete the employee verification process, coordinating with necessary stakeholders.
• Run and analyze ad-hoc reporting for system improvement and data accuracy.
• Interface with benefits administrator to ensure accurate benefit deductions.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years payroll processing experience, preferably in a multi-state organization with a significant non-exempt workforce.
• Experience with multi-state taxation and payroll wage and hour law (FLSA, FMLA, and other regulations).
• Excellent people skills and a strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet payroll deadlines.
• Integrity, discretion, and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Strong organization, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proficient Excel skills, including Pivot tables and V-lookups.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.

Benefits

• Health & Wellness Benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k program with company match.
• 100% Company-Paid Life Insurance with options for additional coverage.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Childcare & Eldercare Support.
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities.
• Paid time off policy including vacation days, personal days, sick time, wellness days, summer flex time, and volunteer days.