Payroll Specialist

Payroll SpecialistLaSalle Network is partnering with a growing organization to identify a Payroll Specialist to join its payroll team. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys owning payroll processes, ensuring compliance, resolving complex payroll issues, and partnering closely with HR and operations teams. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of payroll administration, tax regulations, and multi-state payroll compliance, along with hands-on experience processing payroll within Workday. This role offers the opportunity to play a critical part in maintaining payroll accuracy while supporting process improvements and system optimization initiatives.Payroll Specialist Responsibilities:Independently manage and process bi-weekly payroll for hourly, salaried, and salaried non-exempt employees.Review, audit, and validate payroll-related data within Workday and ADP, ensuring accuracy and compliance.Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies related to pay, deductions, benefits, taxes, and 401(k) transactions.Reconcile payroll records and ensure accurate balancing of payroll data from UKG or other workforce management systems.Process off-cycle payrolls, bonus payments, commissions, and other special payroll transactions.Serve as a primary payroll resource for HR teams, managers, and employees, responding to payroll-related questions and issues.Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure payroll changes are communicated and processed accurately and timely.Assist with payroll tax activities, including quarterly tax reporting, year-end balancing, and W-2 preparation.Support internal and external audits by providing payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and reporting capabilities.Participate in cross-functional projects, system enhancements, and compliance initiatives impacting payroll operations.Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent field preferred.Equivalent experience considered in lieu of a degree.3+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably within a manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environment.Experience with Workday or ADP SmartCompliance strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax requirements, garnishments, and payroll compliance.Experience reconciling payroll transactions and resolving complex payroll discrepancies.Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis functions.Familiarity with UKG, workforce management systems, and cloud-based collaboration tools such as Smartsheet, SharePoint, ServiceNow, and Box is a plus.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across HR, Finance, and Operations teams.Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.Key Details:Compensation: $35-$37/hrBenefits: LaSalle Network consultants are eligible to enroll in benefits. For details, visit work schedule in Deerfield, IL.Opportunity to work with leading payroll and HR technologies including Workday and ADP.High-visibility role supporting a large employee population.Collaborative culture with strong cross-functional interaction.Opportunity to contribute to payroll process improvements and systems optimization.