Payroll Compliance Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

SPE Group is seeking an experienced Payroll & Labor Compliance Specialist to own and manage all aspects of payroll administration and labor compliance for our utility construction operations.

Unlike a traditional payroll processing role, this position is responsible for the entire payroll function, including payroll administration, labor costing, tax compliance, union benefit reporting, multi-state payroll processing, payroll accounting, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will serve as a critical partner to operations, accounting, human resources, and project management by ensuring payroll accuracy, labor compliance, and timely reporting across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Full-Cycle Payroll Administration

• Process weekly payroll for field employees from start to finish.
• Review and audit timecards, electronic timekeeping records, crew reports, equipment reports and payroll-related documentation.
• Utilize Accounting Software and process:
• • Regular wages
  • Overtime and double time
  • Per diem and subsistence allowances
  • Travel pay
  • Bonuses and incentive pay
• Process new hires, promotions, wage increases, transfers, leaves of absence, and terminations.
• Manage direct deposits, employee tax elections, and payroll deductions.
• Process off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, corrections, and payroll adjustments.

Union Payroll & Benefit Administration

• Administer payroll in compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Maintain union wage packages and classifications.
• Calculate and reconcile union fringe benefit contributions.
• Prepare and submit union remittance reports.
• Support union payroll audits and compliance reviews.

Multi-State Payroll & Tax Compliance

• Process payroll for employees working in multiple states and jurisdictions.
• Ensure proper federal, state, and local tax withholding and reporting.
• Monitor state reciprocity agreements, unemployment tax rates, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Resolve payroll tax notices and agency inquiries.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing and distribution.

Job Costing & Labor Allocation

• Review and validate payroll allocations to jobs, departments, divisions, and cost codes.
• Support project costing by ensuring labor charges are accurately assigned.
• Analyze labor utilization, burden rates, overtime costs, and project labor expenditures.
• Assist management with labor reporting and workforce analytics.
• Support billing and project accounting activities related to labor costs.

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliation

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries.
• Reconcile payroll registers, tax liabilities, benefit deductions, and labor burden accounts.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Assist with external financial audits and workers' compensation and other insurance audits.

Employee Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related employee questions.
• Provide exceptional customer service while maintaining confidentiality.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of four (4) years of full-cycle payroll experience.
• Experience processing payroll for construction, utility, transportation, or other field-based industries.
• Experience with multi-state payroll administration.
• Working knowledge of payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and employee benefit deductions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred

• Experience with union payroll and benefit administration.
• Experience with Foundation, or other construction accounting software.
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or related field.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $75,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Professional Development and Certification Support

SPE Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse and inclusive workforce.

SPE Group is a utility construction and powerline services company supporting electric utilities, municipalities, and infrastructure partners across the country. Our work includes overhead and underground powerline construction, storm restoration, project support, site access and restoration, pole inspections, foundations, and related field operations.

We are looking for a experienced, detail-oriented, Payroll Compliance Specialist to work out of our Jacksonville, Florida office .

Company Description

SPE Group is a utility construction and powerline services company supporting electric utilities, municipalities, and infrastructure partners across the country. Our work includes overhead and underground powerline construction, storm restoration, project support, site access and restoration, pole inspections, foundations, and related field operations.\n\nWe are looking for a experienced, detail-oriented, Payroll Compliance Specialist to work out of our Jacksonville, Florida office .