Payroll Specialist

Duties: The Payroll Specialist ("Specialist") is an integral member of Axiom's Human Resources Department ("HR"). The Specialist will play a key role in supporting organizational growth initiatives, including acquisitions, system integrations, payroll harmonization, and payroll alignment projects. The Specialist will be accountable for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing across a multi-state workforce while supporting payroll compliance, audits, reporting, and continuous process improvement. This role partners closely with Human Resources and Accounting to maintain payroll integrity and enhance payroll systems and procedures. Additionally, the Specialist will have other duties and responsibilities as determined from time to time by the CHRO.

Essential Functions:

• Process and audit bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payrolls for employees across multiple states.

• Review payroll data to ensure accuracy of earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, and benefit withholdings.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and system issues.

• Prepare payroll reconciliations and assist with month-end and year-end activities.

• Support payroll tax filings, W-2 processing, and audit requirements.

• Generate and analyze payroll reports for Finance, Human Resources, and leadership teams.

• Maintain payroll records and ensure data security and confidentiality.

• Partner with HR and Benefits teams to validate employee data changes affecting payroll.

• Assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and process improvements.

• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, controls, and documentation.

• Monitor and recommend payroll process efficiencies and automation opportunities.

• Support due diligence activities related to acquisitions and workforce integrations.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries from employees, managers, HR, Finance, and external vendors.

• Partner with Finance on payroll accounting, accruals, general ledger reconciliations, and audit support.

• Assist in integrating newly acquired entities into existing payroll operations while maintaining compliance and minimizing business disruption.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of payroll experience in a multi-state environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll tax requirements.
• Experience with multiple payroll systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, or corporate restructuring initiatives.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.

Preferred

• Extensive knowledge of Paycom payroll processing.
• Experience in healthcare, case management, behavioral health, managed care, or related service industries.
• Direct involvement in payroll integration, payroll harmonization, or payroll alignment projects following acquisitions.
• Experience with payroll data conversions and system implementations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Experience supporting organizations with rapid growth and multiple business entities.

Key Competencies

• Payroll Compliance
• Data Analysis and Reporting
• Process Improvement
• Payroll Systems Administration
• M&A Payroll Integration
• Attention to Detail
• Confidentiality and Data Security
• Critical Thinking
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Project Management