Payroll Specialist

Payroll SpecialistRecruiter: LHHLocation: Mount Laurel, New JerseySalary: $60,000–$65,000 annually Schedule: Full-Time | Fully Onsite, 5 Days per WeekLHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a reputable organization. We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to oversee accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a workforce of 300+ employees.This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on payroll professional with strong experience in payroll processing, timekeeping, payroll adjustments, reconciliations, reporting, garnishments, taxes, deductions, and audit support.The Payroll Specialist will collaborate closely with Finance, Human Resources, department leadership, managers, and employees to ensure payroll accuracy, research discrepancies, and provide responsive payroll support. The position will also provide exposure to journal entries, reconciliations, month-end activities, reporting, and audit support.Key ResponsibilitiesProcess biweekly payroll for 300+ hourly and salaried employees, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.Review employee timecards, missing punches, overtime, paid time off, pay changes, deductions, and other payroll exceptions.Review payroll registers, variance reports, and supporting documentation to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.Process payroll corrections, retroactive payments, special payments, and other payroll adjustments.Maintain employee payroll information, including tax elections, direct deposits, deductions, and garnishments.Reconcile payroll totals with funding and banking activity.Prepare and support payroll journal entries and general ledger reconciliations.Reconcile payroll taxes, benefit deductions, retirement deductions, garnishments, and other payroll liabilities.Support quarterly and year-end payroll processes, including tax reporting, W-2 review, reconciliations, and audit requests.Prepare recurring payroll, labor cost, overtime, and allocation reports.Respond professionally to employee and manager questions regarding pay, deductions, taxes, timekeeping, and direct deposits.Maintain accurate and confidential payroll records, approvals, procedures, and supporting documentation.Provide payroll documentation for financial audits and other compliance-related requests.Partner with Finance and HR to maintain accurate employee and payroll information.Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll controls, reduce manual processes, and improve overall accuracy and efficiency.Provide backup support for related Finance functions as needed.Qualifications3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience.Experience processing payroll within a mid-sized or large organization.Experience processing payroll for 250+ employees strongly preferred.Experience supporting both hourly and salaried employee populations.Strong working knowledge of: payroll processing, timekeeping, overtime, payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, direct deposits, payroll corrections and adjustments, payroll reconciliations, payroll reporting, quarterly and year-end payroll activities.Experience reviewing payroll registers and identifying and resolving discrepancies.Experience with payroll reconciliations, journal entries, reporting, and audit support.Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, particularly when working with payroll reports, reconciliations, and large data sets.Experience with Paycom or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform preferred.Strong attention to detail and ability to meet firm payroll deadlines.Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.Ability to handle sensitive employee and payroll information with strict confidentiality.Strong written and verbal communication skills with a service-oriented approach to employee support.Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.FPC or CPP certification is a plus.