Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support a government organization in North Charleston, South Carolina. This contract opportunity is ideal for someone with strong payroll and accounting experience who can manage bi-weekly payroll activities, maintain accurate financial records, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The role works closely with finance and human resources to resolve payroll, benefits, and timekeeping matters while contributing to broader accounting operations and reporting.

Responsibilities:
• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule while ensuring compliance with payroll laws, tax requirements, and established policies.
• Enter and review payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related financial data within the accounting system to maintain complete and accurate records.
• Prepare payroll-related journal entries, account adjustments, and supporting documentation for the general ledger.
• Reconcile payroll balances, cash activity, liability accounts, salary accounts, reimbursements, and other finance-related records as needed.
• Research and resolve discrepancies involving payroll, employee timekeeping, benefits deductions, and related financial transactions.
• Partner with Human Resources and Finance leadership to address employee payroll concerns and improve the accuracy of payroll and benefits administration.
• Produce recurring and ad hoc reports for payroll, commissions, invoices, deposits, and financial activity for management and external agencies.
• Maintain charts of accounts, payroll files, quarterly reporting records, retirement documentation, and other required fiscal records.
• Use systems such as Paylocity and NetSuite to support payroll processing, financial reporting, account analysis, and record maintenance.
• Support audits and uphold sound accounting controls by reviewing transactions for proper coding, classification, and compliance with government accounting standards.• Experience managing full-cycle payroll processing, including bi-weekly payroll for a large employee population.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, payroll taxes, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Proficiency with payroll and accounting platforms, including Paylocity and NetSuite.
• Hands-on experience preparing journal entries and reconciling payroll and general ledger accounts.
• Familiarity with accounts payable and accounts receivable processes in a finance environment.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies, analyze financial data, and resolve payroll or accounting issues accurately.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to maintain confidential financial and employee information.