Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Specialist
Location: Tampa, FL (Onsite)
Type: Contract
Duration: 1 month

Job Description :

The Client is seeking a Payroll Specialist to perform advanced and complex payroll functions to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing of employee compensation.

This position independently manages complex payroll transactions, interprets and applies payroll policies and applicable collective bargaining provisions, resolves escalated payroll issues, and performs reconciliation and reporting activities. The Payroll Specialist serves as a subject matter resource for payroll processes and may provide guidance, training, or review the work of other payroll staff.

The candidate will validate employee pay hours to ensure accurate and timely biweekly payroll processing, apply pay rules as stated in ATU and Teamster labor contracts, the Non-Bargaining handbook, and Department of Labor (DOL) requirements, understand pay-cycle processing, and have knowledge of ADP Payroll. The candidate will also assist the Payroll Manager as needed.

Key Responsibilities :

• Process complex payroll transactions and ensure accurate and timely payment of employees.
• Process and resolve complex payroll adjustments and transactions, including retroactive pay, wage corrections, supplemental payments, final pay, garnishments, tax withholding adjustments, benefit deductions, and other payroll-related corrections.
• Research, interpret, and apply payroll policies, procedures, collective bargaining provisions, and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations to ensure consistent and compliant payroll administration.
• Investigate and resolve escalated payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and complex pay-related issues; identify root causes and recommend or implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before the following payroll processing; identify discrepancies and perform necessary corrections and adjustments.
• Perform payroll-to-general-ledger reconciliations and research and resolve variances between payroll records, accounting records, benefit deductions, tax liabilities, and related financial systems.
• Prepare, maintain, and analyze payroll reports, records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for management.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering documentation, researching payroll transactions, responding to inquiries, and assisting with corrective actions or process improvements.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities and reporting, including reconciliation and verification of payroll records, taxable wages, deductions, and other information necessary for tax reporting and employee wage statements.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of employee payroll, tax, and personal information.
• Serve as a technical resource to payroll staff, managers, and employees regarding complex payroll matters.
• Manage garnishment setups and changes in ADP.
• Assist in reviewing preview check registers and making corrections as needed.
• Prepare check requests and supporting documentation for payroll deductions paid through Accounts Payable or ACH deposits.
• Prepare off-cycle payroll checks.

Required:

• Ability to speak, write, and understand English.
• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Two to four years of work experience in payroll, accounting, human resources, timekeeping, or a related administrative role.
• Excellent data entry skills.
• At least one year of experience processing and reviewing complex payroll transactions with a high degree of accuracy.
• At least one year of experience performing detailed reconciliations, analysis, and problem-solving.
• At least one year of demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work to meet critical payroll deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.

Highly Desired:

• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• At least one year of experience using payroll and timekeeping systems, preferably ADP or Trapeze.