Certified Payroll Specialist

Join The Christman Company

Are you interested in becoming an employee-owner with a leading national general contractor that will provide you with opportunities to Build More in your professional career? The Christman Company is looking for a Certified Payroll Specialist in our Lansing, Michigan office.

Position Summary

The Certified Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely preparation, submission, and maintenance of certified payroll reports in compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, state prevailing wage laws, and applicable federal and state regulations. This role supports field operations and project teams by ensuring all payroll-related compliance obligations on public works and government-funded construction projects are met. This role works closely with project managers, subcontractors, and accounting staff to resolve discrepancies and maintain audit-ready records.

What You Will Do:

As a Certified Payroll Specialist, your primary daily responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Independently oversee the preparation and submission of weekly certified payroll reports (CPRs) for all applicable projects, exercising judgment to ensure accuracy and compliance with platform requirements.
• Apply specialized knowledge to verify and determine appropriate employee classifications, wage rates, and fringe benefit contributions in accordance with prevailing wage determinations.
• Exercise discretion in reviewing, evaluating, and approving subcontractor CPRs, identifying deficiencies and directing corrective action to ensure completeness and timely submission.
• Manage the issuance and tracking of Statements of Compliance for company and subcontractor submissions, making independent determinations on adequacy and compliance.
• Develop and maintain audit-ready CPR filing systems and documentation protocols to support contract compliance reviews and regulatory inquiries. Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and prevailing wage schedules to determine correct wage rates, overtime calculations, and fringe benefit deductions.
• Apply independent judgment in the review and audit of timekeeping records, proactively identifying discrepancies and coordinating resolutions with field supervisors to maintain accurate payroll processing. Analyze payroll data to calculate and process retroactive wage adjustments, prevailing wage true-ups, and fringe benefit reconciliations.
• Monitor and evaluate Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations and state prevailing wage schedules across all active projects, proactively identifying compliance risks. Assess labor compliance posting requirements and make independent determinations to ensure job site notices remain current and complete.
• Provide expertise and support during Department of Labor and state agency audits and investigations by managing required documentation, responses, and compliance-related communications.
• Lead subcontractor onboarding to certified payroll reporting requirements and platforms, establishing compliance expectations at project start and managing ongoing adherence.
• Exercise judgment to identify, escalate, and recommend corrective action for chronic subcontractor non-compliance to project management and accounting leadership.
• Maintain and administer payroll records in the company's financial software system, generating analytical reports on labor costs and fringe benefit accruals for project managers.
• Lead year-end payroll activities and certified payroll reconciliations, independently analyzing and resolving complex discrepancies to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare specialized payroll reporting for OCIP/CCIP programs and union fringe obligations, applying expert knowledge of applicable requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvement initiatives; establish standards for new procedures and provide training and guidance to team members.

Expected Hours of Work: Full-time position, onsite in our Lansing office. Extended hours and weekends may apply.

Travel: Minimal travel required. Majority of travel done during work hours; overnight stays may be required.

What You Will Bring to the Team:

Required experience, knowledge, and skills for this role include:

• Associate's degree in business or related job field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in payroll and benefits
• Two (2) or more years of experience with job costing, prevailing wage, and union environments.
• OR Equivalent combination of the above education, training, and experience.

Preferred experience, knowledge, and skills for this role include:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related job field. Solid knowledge of FMLA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other benefits-related regulations is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Familiarity with payroll software systems/HRIS (e.g. Workday, ADP, Viewpoint).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with an emphasis on Excel. Proven ability to maintain the highest levels of integrity, and handle and maintain sensitive information in a confidential, timely, and professional manner.
• High level of accuracy and advanced attention to detail.

The Christman family of companies is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.As part of our company policy, this position requires successful completion of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to drug and background screening.