Senior Payroll Specialist

Senior Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for supporting the accurate and timely processing of payroll across multiple business units while assisting with timekeeping administration, payroll audits, employee support, and payroll process improvement initiatives. This role will work closely with Payroll Operations, Compliance, HR, and operational leadership to ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.

This position is ideal for a payroll professional who enjoys problem-solving, identifying process improvements, and learning new systems. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, analytical, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment.

Job Responsibilities:

• Process and audit payroll transactions for multiple business units.
• Review payroll data for accuracy and identify discrepancies prior to payroll processing.
• Manage enterprise timekeeping administration; design training or guidelines to improve user compliance and experience.
• Research and resolve payroll, tax, deduction, and employee pay issues.
• Drive payroll balancing, audits, reconciliations, and exception reporting.
• Serve as a functional Subject Matter Expert (SME) for payroll system implementations, configuration enhancements, testing, and continuous process improvements.
• Maintain employee payroll records, direct deposits, tax elections, and deduction setup.
• Administer the processing of complex garnishments and wage attachments, partnering with the Payroll and Compliance Analyst to ensure regulatory alignment.
• Partner with Accounting/Finance to research and resolve payroll related GL variances during closing cycles.
• Monitor vendor performance and system accuracy, escalating recurring issues to leadership as needed.
• Play a key role in year-end processing workflows, including W2 verification, distribution, and amendments (W2c).
• Generate and analyze payroll journal entries, ensuring accurate mapping to the General Ledger (GL) and labor distribution codes.
• Partner with HR, Operations, and Finance to resolve payroll-related issues.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and documentation.
• Participate in cross-training efforts to support payroll continuity across business units.

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of progressive, senior level payroll experience in a multi-state environment
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or Accounting degree preferred
• Experience with UKG, ADP, Workday, or other enterprise payroll systems
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, with an emphasis on advanced Excel functions (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Power Query) for data manipulation
• Strong Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, and data analysis
• Strong skills using and understanding the flow of transactions in an integrated and automated payroll accounting system,
• Multi state procession and tax experience required
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent problem solving/analytical skills, and high level of attention to detail and accuracy around complex data
• Strong organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet all deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, extremely organized, flexible, self-starter.
• Time and attendance administration experience preferred.
• Direct experience leading internal and external payroll audits, GL reconciliations, and executing process improvements
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) highly preferred

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance, Health Advocate, and Wellness Programs
• Generous 401(k) Plan with 4% match
• Company paid Financial Advice Program
• Career development opportunities, including our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Paid Vacation based on years of service

Moran Environmental Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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