Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

Job Description

This role oversees end-to-end biweekly U.S. payroll processing in UKG Pro and UKG Pro Workforce Management for a high-volume, multi-state employee population. The Payroll Specialist ensures accurate and timely pay delivery, maintains strict compliance with wage and tax regulations, and serves as an escalation point for complex payroll issues. The position also supports payroll-related projects, system enhancements, audits, and continuous process improvement initiatives while partnering closely with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Execute and own end-to-end biweekly U.S. payroll processing in UKG Pro, ensuring timely and accurate pay delivery for a high-volume population.
• Process complex payrolls including hourly and salaried employees, PTO, garnishments, retroactive adjustments, special earnings, and payroll corrections as needed.
• Review and respond to employee and manager inquiries related to pay, taxes, timecards, PTO balances and policies, employment verifications, year-end W-2 requests, and historical timecard corrections.
• Support time and attendance processing in UKG Pro Workforce Management, including timecard audits, overtime validation, corrections, and accurate timecard coding for employees on leave of absence based on updated leave status information.
• Perform payroll balancing, validation, reconciliations, and approvals prior to payroll submission to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations and apply these requirements consistently to every pay cycle.
• Prepare and support statutory and compliance reporting, including internal and external payroll audits by producing required reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Provide tactical support for payroll and benefits-related data audit requests, including annual 401(k) audits, workers’ compensation audits, payroll system processing audits, and related reconciliations and documentation.
• Act as an escalation resource for complex payroll issues, offering subject matter expertise without formal supervisory responsibility.
• Identify and implement payroll process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and audit controls.
• Participate in payroll and benefits-related projects, including system enhancements, upgrades, integrations, and compliance initiatives.
• Lead assigned year-end tasks related to W-2s, system review, and employee data review to ensure accurate year-end reporting.
• Support testing, validation, and documentation related to UKG system updates and enhancements.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, job aids, and payroll documentation to support consistency, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Utilize a case management system to document, track, prioritize, and resolve payroll and time-related inquiries in line with established controls and service-level expectations.
• Collaborate and influence cross-functional partners, including HR, Finance, and Benefits, to resolve issues and improve end-to-end payroll processes.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of payroll processing experience supporting multi-state payrolls.
• Hands-on, recent experience with configuration of UKG Pro and UKG Pro Workforce Management at an intermediate level.
• Demonstrated experience with high-volume payroll processing in UKG (2,000+ employees).
• Experience processing complex payrolls, including hourly and salaried employees, PTO, garnishments, retroactive pay, special earnings, and corrections.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll compliance, wage and hour laws, tax reporting, audits, and payroll accounting principles.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills for complex reporting and data analysis.
• Experience using a case management system to document, track, prioritize, and resolve payroll and time-related inquiries.
• Understanding of UKG administrative tools, including UKG Pro, UKG Pro Workforce Management, and benefits platforms such as Plan Source.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of payroll processing and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex payroll scenarios and resolve discrepancies.
• Ability to independently manage complex payroll cycles, including retroactive adjustments, gross-ups, stock vesting, and related transactions.
• Strong professional communication skills and a customer service-oriented approach when supporting employees and managers.
• Ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally without direct authority.
• Associate degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or a related field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing across a broad range of jurisdictions is highly valued.
• Experience with UKG Workforce Management (UKG WFM) for time and attendance processing.
• Familiarity with benefits platforms such as Plan Source and their integration with payroll systems.
• Prior involvement in payroll and benefits-related projects, including system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations.
• Experience supporting or leading year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review and reconciliation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain standard operating procedures, job aids, and training materials.
• Proven capability to support statutory and compliance reporting, including 401(k) audits, workers’ compensation audits, and payroll processing audits.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

The role requires working on site four days per week in a professional office environment. You will work extensively with UKG Pro, UKG Pro Workforce Management, and related administrative tools, including benefits platforms such as Plan Source, as well as Microsoft Excel and a case management system. The organization emphasizes safety and quality as top priorities and promotes a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional growth. The total rewards package includes an annual performance bonus, commission and share potential, auto-enrollment in a 401(k) program with a company match, a generous paid time off bank starting at 20 days (prorated based on hire date) with additional days granted at milestone anniversaries, 3 personal days (prorated), and 11 company-paid holidays. Comprehensive benefits are available, including health, dental, vision, mental health, disability, life insurance, prescription drug coverage, and a variety of voluntary benefits. Employees also have access to an employee discount program, a wellbeing rewards program, tuition assistance, and paid maternity and parental leave. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification, role, and length of employment, and benefits are subject to change in accordance with specific plan or program terms.

This position is moving extremely fast as this is an urgent need for the client. If interested, please send over your most up to date resume to ktrivigno @astoncarter.com along with your availability for a 10-minute phone call. 

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley Heights, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $27.40 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Berkeley Heights,NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.