Payroll Specialist

Description Execute and own end-to-end biweekly U.S. payroll processing in UKG Pro, ensuring timely and accurate pay delivery. Review and respond to employee and manager inquiries related to pay, taxes, timecards, PTO balances and policy, employment verifications, year-end requests for W2s, 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 leave status updates provided by the Leave team. Process off-cycle payrolls, retroactive adjustments, special earnings, and payroll corrections as needed. Perform payroll balancing, validation, reconciliations, and approvals prior to payroll submission. 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. Lead year end tasks as assigned and related to W2s, system review, and employee data review. Support testing, validation, and documentation related to UKG system updates and enhancements. Develop and maintain SOPs, job aids, and payroll documentation to support consistency and knowledge sharing. Act as an escalation resource for complex payroll issues, providing expertise without formal supervisory responsibility. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local wage and tax regulations and apply it to every pay. Prepare and support statutory and compliance reporting, and both internal and external payroll audits by producing required reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation. Provide tactical support for payroll and benefits related data audit requests, including but not limited to annual 401(k) audits, workers’ compensation audits, payroll system processing audits, and related reconciliation and documentation requirements. Skills ukg Payroll Payroll processing Garnishments Payroll tax Payroll accounting Accounting Reconciliation Deduction Top Skills Details ukg Payroll Payroll processing Garnishments Payroll tax Payroll accounting Additional Skills & Qualifications 3-5 years’ experience in 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. Strong working knowledge of payroll compliance, wage & hour laws, tax reporting, audits, and payroll accounting principles. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills for complex reporting. Experience utilizing a case management system, to document, track, prioritize, and resolve payroll and time-related inquiries in compliance with established controls and service-level expectations. Associates degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business, or a related field. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Understand UKG’s Administrative tools including UKG Pro, Workforce Management, Plan Source (benefits platform). Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage complex payroll cycles independently, retro, gross-up, stock vest and bonus. Clear, professional communication and customer service orientation. Ability to influence and collaborate cross-functionally without direct authority. Experience Level Intermediate Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $27.40 - $40.00/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 fully onsite position in Columbus,OH. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 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. Equal Opportunity Employer 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. Reasonable Accommodation 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Aston Carter