Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Brooklyn, NY

$85,000 - $105,000

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and grant-funded employees.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on schedule in compliance with all applicable laws and organizational policies.
• Review and approve payroll registers, tax filings, and wage payments prior to submission.
• Maintain payroll calendars, including pay periods, deadlines, and year-end processing.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, including wage and hour regulations.
• Oversee payroll tax filings, W-2s, 1099s, and other required reporting.
• Respond to payroll audits and coordinate with external auditors as needed.
• Monitor payroll regulation changes and implement updates accordingly.
• Maintain payroll systems and employee records while ensuring confidentiality and data accuracy.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure accurate onboarding, offboarding, and employee status changes.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and collaborate with Finance on general ledger postings.
• Support payroll system upgrades, testing, and process improvements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies, adjustments, and corrections in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance regarding payroll, deductions, benefits, and timekeeping policies.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of payroll administration experience.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations or multi-site environments preferred.
• Experience managing payroll for grant-funded employees or multiple funding sources strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and wage and hour requirements.
• Experience with payroll systems, preferably UKG Ready.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Flexibility to work additional hours during payroll processing cycles and year-end reporting.