Payroll Specialist

Job Description Job Title: Payroll Specialist Location: Berkeley Heights, NJ Job Description The Payroll Specialist executes and owns end-to-end biweekly U.S. payroll processing in UKG Pro, ensuring timely and accurate pay delivery for a multi-state workforce. This role manages complex payroll cycles, supports time and attendance processing, and serves as an escalation point for complex payroll issues. The Payroll Specialist also drives process improvements, supports system enhancements, and ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations. Responsibilities Execute and own end-to-end biweekly U.S. payroll processing in UKG Pro, ensuring timely and accurate pay delivery for all employees. Review and respond to employee and manager inquiries related to pay, taxes, timecards, PTO balances and policy, 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. Process off-cycle payrolls, retroactive adjustments, special earnings, and payroll corrections as needed. Perform payroll balancing, validation, reconciliations, and approvals prior to payroll submission to ensure accuracy and completeness. 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. Act as an escalation resource for complex payroll issues, providing subject matter expertise without formal supervisory responsibility. 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. 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. 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. Understanding of UKG administrative tools, including UKG Pro, Workforce Management, and Plan Source (benefits platform). Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all payroll-related tasks. Strong professional communication skills and a customer service-oriented approach. Ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally without direct authority. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Berkeley Heights, NJ. Pay and Benefits 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) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Berkeley Heights,NJ. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 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, #J-18808-Ljbffr Aston Carter