Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

Job Description

This Payroll Specialist role sits within a growing accounting and finance team and focuses on ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time each week. You will support weekly payroll for both office and field employees across multiple states and gain exposure to union payroll, certified payroll reporting, payroll taxes, and process improvements. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with numbers, thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, and wants to build long-term payroll expertise while contributing to a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Collect and review weekly timesheets for accuracy and completeness for both office and field employees.
• Follow up with supervisors and field personnel to obtain missing timesheets, approvals, and any required clarifications.
• Interpret and apply complex supervisor pay calculations, including per diems and travel reimbursements, in accordance with company policy.
• Assist with posting and finalizing weekly payroll, ensuring all entries balance and reconcile prior to submission.
• Support the preparation of ACH payroll files to enable accurate and timely direct deposit processing.
• Process routine weekly payroll corrections, including adjustments to hours worked and standard deductions.
• Print and prepare live payroll checks for mailing and execute bank transfers to fund payroll.
• Support the Focus Card (US Bank) program by issuing cards, updating employee records, and resolving related issues.
• Research and resolve bank discrepancies related to payroll transactions and prepare documentation for stop payments or voids.
• Set up wage garnishments and child support orders in the payroll system, run garnishment reports, and prepare disbursements.
• Respond to unemployment inquiries in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assist in preparing certified payroll (prevailing wage) reports under supervision, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain organized and secure payroll records in compliance with document retention requirements.
• Handle a high volume of data entry while maintaining accuracy and meeting weekly payroll deadlines.
• Collaborate closely with an experienced payroll specialist and payroll leadership to support continuous process improvement and consistency.
• Support a diverse workforce, including field, union, and office employees, across multiple states and projects.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–3 years of payroll processing experience.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all payroll tasks.
• Comfort working with strict payroll deadlines and recurring weekly cycles.
• Ability to handle confidential employee information with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including working with spreadsheets and data analysis for payroll purposes.
• Strong general data entry skills with the ability to manage a high volume of transactions.
• Familiarity with payroll software and comfort learning new systems.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with frequent workforce changes.
• Dependable and consistent work habits, with a focus on accuracy and follow-through.
• Curiosity and initiative to investigate discrepancies and escalate issues when something appears incorrect.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with supervisors, field personnel, and internal stakeholders about payroll matters.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Payroll experience in construction, engineering, AEC, or manufacturing environments.
• Union payroll experience, including working with collective bargaining agreements.
• Exposure to certified payroll and prevailing wage reporting.
• Experience with Viewpoint / Vista payroll systems.
• Basic understanding of federal and state payroll taxes.
• Familiarity with Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage concepts.
• Knowledge of garnishment compliance requirements and processes.
• Experience supporting payroll for diverse markets such as airport, automotive, food and beverage, parcel, postal, and power and heavy industrial projects.
• Comfort working with payroll tax concepts and compliance-related tasks.
• Interest in developing deeper expertise in union payroll, certified payroll reporting, and payroll process improvements.

Work Environment

This is an office-based position that follows standard business hours, with peak workload periods around weekly payroll deadlines. The environment is fast-paced due to weekly payroll cycles, frequent workforce changes, and support of both office and field employees. You will work as part of a small payroll team, currently including one other payroll specialist, and collaborate closely with experienced payroll leadership. The organization maintains a strong safety culture and systematic safety program, supported by a robust quality management system that covers all aspects of project performance. The company delivers complex industrial projects, including mechanical and control systems design, mechanical and electrical fabrication, installation, integration, commissioning, training, and maintenance, and supports a diverse customer base across multiple industries and geographies. The culture emphasizes a “can do” attitude, long-term customer relationships, and professional growth, offering opportunities to advance your career, gain multi-state and union payroll experience, and contribute to a financially strong organization with the ability to mobilize across the United States and internationally.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Aurora, CO.

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $33.00/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 fully onsite position in Aurora,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 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.