Multi-State PEO Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Multi-State PEO Payroll Specialist to join our growing team. This position is responsible for accurately processing payroll for multiple clients and worksite employees across various states while providing responsive, professional client support. The ideal candidate has direct experience working within a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or other high-volume, multi-client payroll environment and understands the complexities of multi-state payroll, payroll taxation, wage and hour requirements, deductions, garnishments, and client implementation.

This is a hands-on position requiring exceptional attention to detail, organization, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process accurate and timely multi-state, multi-client payrolls on weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, and other payroll schedules.
• Review payroll submissions for accuracy, including hours, earnings, deductions, reimbursements, bonuses, commissions, and other compensation.
• Maintain employee payroll records, direct deposit information, tax elections, and payroll-related changes.
• Support federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Process and maintain garnishments, child support orders, levies, and other required deductions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, tax issues, and client or employee payroll questions.
• Review payroll reports and perform pre- and post-payroll audits to identify discrepancies before they become client-impacting issues.
• Coordinate with HR, Benefits, Workers' Compensation, Finance, and Operations as needed.
• Assist with new client implementations, payroll transitions, and employee onboarding.
• Maintain accurate documentation and follow established payroll procedures and internal controls.
• Provide clients with timely, professional communication regarding payroll deadlines, corrections, and required information.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee, client, payroll, and financial information.
• Stay current on payroll regulations and multi-state compliance requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a PEO, payroll service bureau, ASO, or multi-client environment.
• Demonstrated experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll taxes, wage deductions, garnishments, and payroll compliance.
• Experience managing multiple client payrolls and competing processing deadlines.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to research payroll discrepancies and independently drive issues through resolution.
• Strong proficiency with payroll/HRIS platforms and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous PEO industry experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with high-volume payroll processing and client-facing payroll support.
• Experience with payroll implementation and client conversions.
• Familiarity with benefits deductions, workers' compensation, HRIS administration, and PEO operations.
• FPC or CPP certification is a plus.
• BILINGUAL A PLUS***