Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager

Job Description

The Payroll Manager leads all aspects of payroll administration for a growing government contracting organization. This role oversees the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly, multi-state payroll, ensures strict compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, and administers labor accounting within Deltek Costpoint. The Payroll Manager serves as the primary payroll resource for employees and management, handling payroll inquiries and supporting related accounting activities, including month-end close and financial reporting. This position is ideal for a payroll professional who takes pride in accuracy, compliance, and delivering excellent service while working in a flexible and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end processing of bi-weekly, multi-state payroll, ensuring all pay cycles run smoothly and on schedule.

• Process payroll changes such as new hires, promotions, salary adjustments, bonuses, benefit deductions, and terminations with high accuracy.

• Ensure payroll is processed in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including payroll tax laws.

• Maintain accurate payroll records and detailed employee earnings history for audit and reporting purposes.

• Coordinate payroll tax filings and year-end reporting, including preparation and review of required forms and schedules.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions from employees and managers, providing timely and professional support.

• Administer the employee timekeeping process in Deltek Costpoint, ensuring timesheets are complete and accurate.

• Review and post labor transactions in Deltek Costpoint, verifying that data is properly recorded.

• Ensure labor costs are properly charged to contracts and indirect cost pools in accordance with company policies and government contracting requirements.

• Process labor corrections and respond to labor reporting requests from internal stakeholders.

• Maintain paid time off (PTO) balances and process adjustments as needed to reflect accurate leave information.

• Prepare PTO accruals and reconcile related balances to ensure accurate financial and employee records.

• Administer 401(k) payroll deductions and employer match calculations, ensuring contributions are correct and timely.

• Coordinate with the retirement plan administrator and support the annual 401(k) audit by providing required payroll data and documentation.

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and account reconciliations to support the general ledger and financial statements.

• Support month-end and year-end close activities by providing payroll data, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.

• Assist with external audits and payroll-related reporting, ensuring requested information is complete and accurate.

• Support other accounting projects as needed, collaborating with the broader finance and accounting team.

• Act as the main point of contact managing the payroll process for the company, even though the role has no direct reports.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of payroll administration experience, preferably in a complex or multi-entity environment.

• Experience processing multi-state payroll, including familiarity with varying state regulations and requirements.

• Strong understanding of payroll tax laws and payroll compliance at the federal, state, and local levels.

• Experience with Deltek Costpoint or another enterprise resource planning (ERP) system used for payroll and labor accounting.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including use of formulas, pivot tables, and VLOOKUP functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Experience with ADP payroll systems.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Experience handling payroll components such as garnishments, 401(k) deductions, and related benefits.

• Foundational accounting knowledge and experience supporting accounting functions related to payroll.

Work Environment

The role operates in a professional office environment within a growing organization of approximately 120–130 employees. Typical work hours align with a standard full-time schedule, with options such as 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The position is 100% onsite initially, with the opportunity to transition to a hybrid schedule of 1–2 days remote per week after demonstrating performance.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Germantown, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $110000.00 - $140000.00/yr.

please see attached over under Other related lists

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Germantown,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 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.