Certified Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Certified Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

The Certified Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely payroll for internal employees and external consultants placed on federal contracts, commercial assignments, and private sector engagements. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including certified payroll reporting requirements, while maintaining payroll data integrity across multiple systems.

The Payroll Specialist processes weekly timesheets in preparation for a biweekly payroll cycle and works closely with recruiting, compliance, and accounting teams to ensure accuracy, funding alignment, and contract adherence.

Key Responsibilities

• Process biweekly payroll for employees and consultants, including W-2 and 1099 workers.
• Review, validate, and audit weekly timesheets for accuracy, approvals, bill rates, pay rates, and contract compliance.
• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports for federal and government-funded contracts in accordance with Department of Labor (DOL) requirements.
• Ensure compliance with prevailing wage laws, Davis-Bacon Act requirements (as applicable), Service Contract Act (SCA), and other federal contract regulations.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and employee earnings history within isolved, Bullhorn, and QuickBooks.
• Reconcile payroll data between ATS, payroll system, and accounting software.
• Manage payroll adjustments including bonuses, reimbursements, garnishments, benefits deductions, and retroactive pay corrections.
• Coordinate with HR and recruiting teams to ensure proper onboarding documentation, tax forms (W-4, I-9), and pay setup.
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries from employees, consultants, and management in a timely and professional manner.
• Assist with audits, reporting, and year-end processes including W-2 and 1099 preparation.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee and contractor payroll information.

Required Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Certified Payroll Specialist designation preferred.
• 3+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably within a staffing firm or government contracting environment.
• Demonstrated experience processing certified payroll for federal contracts.
• Working knowledge of prevailing wage and federal labor compliance requirements.
• Experience with isolved, Bullhorn, and QuickBooks required.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax regulations and multi-state payroll processing.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll reporting.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act reporting.
• Ability to reconcile payroll to billing and general ledger.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work Environment

This role operates on-site in a fast-paced staffing environment supporting federal, commercial, and private-sector clients. The Payroll Specialist must manage competing deadlines while ensuring compliance and accuracy across multiple funding streams and contract types