Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist | Energy Industry

Location: Warwick, Rhode Island

Employment Type: Full-Time

Industry: Energy / Utilities / Power Generation

We are seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our growing energy sector team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Full-Cycle Payroll Processing

• Process weekly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly payroll from start to finish.

• Calculate wages, overtime, retroactive pay, bonuses, and payroll deductions.

• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and within established deadlines.

Timekeeping & Auditing

• Review and validate employee timecards and attendance records.

• Investigate and reconcile payroll discrepancies before processing.

• Collaborate with managers and HR to resolve timekeeping issues.

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations.

• Update employee tax withholdings and process payroll-related tax documentation.

• Support audits and prepare payroll reports as needed.

Employee Data Management

• Process payroll-related paperwork for new hires, terminations, and employee changes.

• Maintain confidential employee records and payroll documentation.

• Ensure data integrity within payroll and HR systems.

Employee Support

• Respond to payroll and benefits inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee concerns.

• Provide guidance on payroll procedures and policies.

System Administration & Testing

• Support payroll system upgrades, enhancements, and implementations.

• Conduct testing and validation of payroll and HR software updates.

• Assist with process improvements and automation initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Experience processing payroll in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements.

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

Preferred

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Experience with multi-state payroll processing.

• Experience in energy, utility, construction, government contracting, or similarly regulated industries.

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.

Technical Skills

• Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, Oracle HCM, Paycom, QuickBooks, or similar platforms.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, reporting, and data analysis.

• Experience working with HRIS and payroll reporting tools.

• Strong data entry, reconciliation, and auditing skills.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently processes accurate and timely payroll.

• Maintains full regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

• Delivers excellent customer service to employees and leadership.

• Identifies opportunities to improve payroll processes and efficiency.