Payroll Specialist

Job Summary

A Payroll Specialist opportunity is available in Decatur, IL for a detail-oriented accounting and payroll professional who enjoys accuracy, problem-solving, and supporting employees across a large, fast-paced organization. This contract position is ideal for someone with strong office, accounting, or payroll experience who can handle sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality.

In this role, the Payroll Specialist will support U.S. and Canadian payroll processing, tax documentation, reconciliations, and employee payroll inquiries. The work environment is customer-focused, collaborative, and process-driven, offering the opportunity to build valuable payroll expertise while working with colleagues and management across multiple business areas.

This is a great fit for someone who values supportive teamwork, clear processes, operational excellence, and the opportunity to contribute to continuous improvement in a highly visible payroll function.

Key Responsibilities

- Process U.S. and Canadian payroll accurately and on time for non-exempt employee populations.
- Research, identify, and resolve payroll processing issues or discrepancies.
- Complete payroll reconciliations and assist with payroll-related tax documentation, including Form 941, W-2, T4, and other required forms.
- Communicate professionally with employees, management, and internal teams to ensure accurate payroll support and timely issue resolution.
- Maintain secure and compliant payroll records, process documentation, manuals, and standard operating procedures.
- Support continuous improvement efforts, special projects, and management reporting as assigned.

Compensation and Benefits

- Pay: $20 per hour.
- Salary range provided: $40,000 to $48,000 per year.
- Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Job type: Contract/Temporary.
- Assignment duration: Expected to continue through January 2027.
- Location: Decatur, IL.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Process U.S. and Canadian payroll with accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality.
- Complete payroll reconciliations and support payroll tax documentation.
- Resolve payroll discrepancies and provide professional employee support.
- Maintain compliant payroll records, documentation, and standard operating procedures.

- Minimum of 3 years of general office or accounting experience.
- Payroll experience preferred.
- 10-key data entry score required.
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
- Intermediate understanding of accounting and mathematical procedures required.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organization, time management, and prioritization skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Comfortable making quick, calculated decisions in a deadline-driven environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive payroll information securely.
- Must be able to read, comprehend, speak clearly, and communicate effectively in person and by phone.
- Ability to sit for extended periods, stand, file, bend, and work on the telephone as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior payroll processing experience in a corporate or shared services environment.
- Experience supporting U.S. and Canadian payroll.
- Knowledge of IBM CICS, IMS, and MDM systems.
- Familiarity with multi-entity payroll processing and payroll compliance.
- Experience supporting process improvement, payroll metrics, or special projects.