Senior Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist needed in Odessa FL! Must have experience with ADP Workforce Now. This role is 5 days a week on site! Job Description The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of weekly multi-state payroll in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This role manages the full payroll lifecycle, including payroll processing, system administration, payroll tax compliance, reporting, reconciliations, issue resolution, and continuous process improvement. The Payroll Specialist partners closely with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, supervisors, and employees to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance while delivering excellent internal customer service. This position reports to the HR Director and is highly visible within the organization. Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely weekly multi-state payroll, including review of regular and overtime hours, pay rates, bonuses, allowances, paid time off, deductions, garnishments, and taxes.
• Review payroll and timekeeping data, investigate discrepancies, and work directly with employees, supervisors, and Human Resources to resolve issues.
• Perform pre- and post-payroll audits to ensure accuracy, compliance, and adherence to established controls.
• Maintain employee payroll records and payroll system configurations within ADP Workforce Now, including earnings codes, deductions, tax settings, pay rules, testing, troubleshooting, and ongoing system maintenance.
• Research and resolve payroll-related inquiries, tax issues, system challenges, and wage discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Process wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other legally required deductions accurately and in accordance with governing rules.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations, journal entry support, and analysis for Finance, Human Resources, and leadership teams.
• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 review, reconciliations, reporting, and responses to audit requests.
• Assist with payroll processes related to prevailing wage requirements, certified payroll reporting, fringe calculations, and other specialized payroll functions as needed.
• Document and maintain payroll procedures, calendars, process controls, and related payroll documentation.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, automation, and overall compliance.
• Escalate payroll risks, compliance concerns, and processing issues appropriately and promptly.
• Perform additional payroll-related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• 35+ years of payroll experience within an integrated payroll and HRIS system.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Experience processing weekly payroll in a high-volume environment.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now (strongly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour requirements, and payroll compliance.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, reporting, audits, garnishments, tax adjustments, W-2 processing, and year-end payroll activities.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, filtering, and data reconciliation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive payroll information.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to payroll accuracy.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple deadlines in a weekly payroll environment.
• Strong communication skills and confidence partnering with employees and leadership.
• Thorough understanding of payroll tax compliance and payroll regulations.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities and a process-improvement mindset.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Human Resources, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience in construction, engineering, industrial, manufacturing, field services, or other labor-intensive industry payroll is preferred.
• Experience with prevailing wage, certified payroll, Davis-Bacon regulations, and/or union payroll is highly desirable.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to last-minute changes and unique payroll situations.
• Interest in continuous learning, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment This is an onsite role supporting a workforce that fluctuates up to approximately 150 employees. The position is based in a corporate office environment with a corporate casual dress code and reports to the HR Director. The work involves regular use of ADP Workforce Now and Microsoft Excel, frequent collaboration with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, supervisors, and employees, and ongoing management of weekly payroll cycles. The organization offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with a comprehensive benefits program that may include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off and company holidays, parental leave benefits, and tuition assistance and professional development opportunities. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Odessa, FL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $35.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Odessa,FL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026. About Aston Carter 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 click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) 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. Aston Carter