Payroll Specialist

Job Summary The Payroll Specialist ensures accurate payroll processing by auditing employee hours, verifying tax compliance, and managing pay disbursements. This role coordinates closely with HR Data Administrators and field locations to resolve issues, maintain accurate payroll records, and ensure timely payment to employees. Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am – 5 pm Central Time Zone Key Responsibilities Payroll Processing & Verification Run Dayforce audit reports and review for discrepancies. Confirm terminations, transfers, and promotions for correct pay, deductions, and taxes. Validate new hire tax setups, including home vs. work address, state, and local taxes. Review total hours and pay against previous periods to identify significant variances. Balance hours from Workforce Management (WFM) and Quality Entry (QE) to payroll registers. Payroll Data Management & Uploads Upload payroll files from field locations or admins and validate totals. Enter pay cards on the Paycard Request Summary and save backups. Manage payroll check reversals and stop pays in Dayforce as needed. Reissue payments or pay cards when confirmed returned funds are available. Employee Support & Escalations Assist HR Data Administrators and field locations with escalated payroll inquiries. Respond to questions regarding pay discrepancies, taxes, or benefits deductions. Reporting & Reconciliation Run Dayforce Preview Register and Payroll Summary Reports for the entire pay group. Reconcile payroll registers and validate accuracy before final processing. Save all final payroll reports and General Ledger (GL) files in the appropriate folders. Paycard & Direct Deposit Administration Process all pay card requests submitted by payroll admins. Monitor direct deposit (DD) returns and prenote failures, working with field locations to update employee profiles. Track stale dated checks and work with admins to reissue payments via pay card or escheat tracker. Compliance & Tax Management Review payroll for compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations. Identify and resolve payroll tax issues or reporting discrepancies. Ensure adherence to company policies, labor laws, and union agreements where applicable. Payroll Workflow & Checklist Management Maintain and update payroll checklists to ensure timely processing. Coordinate with payroll team to meet deadlines for payroll cycles, reporting, and audits. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to streamline payroll operations. Special Projects & Process Improvements Support audits, special projects, and system upgrades related to payroll operations. Implement enhancements to payroll processes, including automation and reporting improvements. Supervisory Responsibilities This role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. Qualifications Associate’s degree or equivalent in accounting, finance, HR, or related field, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 2+ years of payroll experience, including payroll processing, payroll tax, and compliance responsibilities. Proficiency in payroll systems required, with Dayforce experience preferred. Strong skills in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, for reporting and data analysis. Core Skills Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in payroll calculations and reporting. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with employees, HR, and field locations. Strong problem‑solving abilities to resolve payroll discrepancies and escalated issues. Deep knowledge of payroll tax regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices. Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Preferred: Experience with union payroll and benefit administration. Work Environment & Physical Demands Office‑based role with occasional interaction with field locations. Primarily seated work with standard office ergonomics. Pay Range Full‑time, salaried position: $52,034 – $78,052 per year. Base pay may vary by location and factors such as experience, job‑related skills, and training. Equal Opportunity Employer Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr