Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurately processing weekly payroll across multiple states, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and supporting innovative daily pay options. This role also manages attendance tracking using a points-based system and collaborates closely with other People Services staff and other managers on onboarding, compliance, and associate support. As part of an employee owned (ESOP) company, the Payroll Specialist plays a key role in delivering exceptional associate experience while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in all payroll and attendance processes.

Payroll Specialist Responsibilities:

• Calculates and processes associate wages, salaries, bonuses, and deductions for associates located across multiple states.
• Ensures weekly payroll is processed on a timely basis.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state and local tax laws.
• Complies with state-specific final paycheck laws.
• Manages benefit time banks and sick time banks, which may differ by state.
• Stays up to date in payroll legislation, recommends and oversees needed changes.
• Prepares and files payroll tax reports and forms.
• Understands and applies wage and hour laws for multiple states.
• Manages state-specific tax withholdings and reporting
• Manages complexities such as different wage rates, overtime rules, and garnishment laws.
• Operates the HRIS software and troubleshoots the payroll module issues as necessary.
• Responds to associate inquiries about pay, deductions, tax forms and benefit time (PTO) balances.
• Resolves associate payroll issues promptly.
• Generates payroll reports for finance and People Services team.
• Performs audits and compliance checks.
• Completes month end, quarterly and annual payroll responsibilities.
• Collaborates with and supports the People Services team as needed.
• Protects sensitive payroll and associate information at all times.

• High School diploma or equivalent, required.
• Associate’s degree in finance, Human Resources or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of payroll experience.
• Familiarity with multi-state payroll processing and compliance required.
• Basic knowledge of accounting principles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Familiarity with Dayforce is a plus.