Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

For over 40 years, one company has represented quality & leadership - Highland Homes - where building careers goes hand in hand with excellence in new home construction. Highland's employees thrive in an atmosphere of appreciation & confidence, contributing their unique ideas to the company's overall success. Employee Owned. Customer Focused.

Highland Homes is currently accepting resumes for a Payroll Specialist. This role provides high-level support to the Payroll Manager to process payrolls and perform a variety of payroll-related tasks.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Deliver exemplary customer service to Highland Homes Employee Owners with every interaction.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, increase efficiency, and enhance system utilization within UKG.
• Responsible for timely and accurate regular payroll processing items, including scheduled, off-cycle, commission and bonus items while maintaining strict confidentiality of information reviewed and processed.
• Process special or exception items including; reversals, voids, deductions and monthly/quarterly/year-end payroll reports and reconciliations.
• Analyze and process incoming payroll paperwork or documentation such as status changes and employee/field-initiated requests.
• Create ad-hoc reports and conduct required system audits using Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) information.
• Research, validate and correct employee data in active payrolls.
• Verify accurate computation of pay according to company policy and in accordance with government regulations and tax codes.
• Document recording of new or changed pay rates in payroll register or computer files.
• Coordinate and enter all Commission data to include advances, recuperation of advances and corrections.
• Run and Review pre-check payroll reports.
• Maintain payroll records.
• Work closely with Accounting on payroll-related Journal Entries and General Ledger reconciliation
• Respond to employees with paycheck inquiries in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
• Proactively seek out development opportunities to stay abreast of payroll best practices and payroll law changes
• Act as a back-up to the Payroll Manager as needed, with little to no assistance required.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings, providing valuable insight regarding projects/systems/initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy of payroll processes and outputs.
• Effectively communicate with all levels of management regarding requests for payroll information and special pay instructions.
• Calculate and submit funding requests for employee 401(k), HSA, FSA and UKG Wallet.
• Manage Leave of Absence process regarding timesheets, paycheck modifications and record-keeping.
• Process Garnishments and monitor them for accuracy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma. Post-Secondary Degree in Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, Business, or related field strongly preferred.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) strongly preferred.
• 5 years of full-cycle payroll experience.
• 5 years of payroll tax experience, with proven knowledge of tax and wage laws.
• 2 years of payroll accounting experience.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Strong administrative and data management skills.
• Ability to adhere to and meet deadlines.
• Ability to raise issues proactively and in a timely manner.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel).
• Proficient in handling sensitive, confidential information.
• Excellent communicator (verbal and written) including the desire to ask questions and learn from others.
• UKG experience strongly preferred.

Highland offers a competitive benefit package, including excellent medical / dental / prescription benefits, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k), new home purchase discounts, & more – all in a business casual atmosphere! Join the company that recognizes & rewards the people who create their success. Highland Homes is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.