Payroll Specialist

Payroll SpecialistTemp to Hire Mon-Fri 8-5 Our client in Deer Park is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join their team! This position is responsible for ensuring employees of the Company are paid both timely and accurately and that the necessary accounting functions resulting from these payments are completed properly.Responsibilities:Process accurate, timely payroll and complex expatriate packages across multiple U.S., Canadian, and Joint Venture entities.Ensure regulatory compliance by managing tax deposits, statutory filings, and multi-state/multi-country year-end tax documentation.Investigate and resolve pay discrepancies while promptly addressing payroll inquiries from employees, management, and external parties.Collaborate in cross-functional meetings to align payroll, HR, and accounting initiatives, performing other related duties as assigned.Accounting & ReportingExecute journal entries, monthly payroll accruals, and complex reconciliations while supporting internal and third-party audits.Generate comprehensive standard and custom reporting (earnings, headcount, benefits) and support the annual compensation budgeting process.System Administration & Vendor ManagementServe as the primary payroll system administrator to oversee technical troubleshooting, upgrades, and system implementations.Act as the main liaison for external payroll vendors, which includes reviewing contracts and verifying billing accuracy.Qualifications:Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field is required, with an advanced degree considered helpful. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent hands-on experience in payroll processing.5+ years of accounting or payroll experience, requiring expertise with expatriate packages, along with a preferred background in international business, auditing, and financial reporting.Deep understanding of payroll regulations (FLSA, FICA, FUTA, ACA, federal/state/local wage-and-hour laws) and accounting principles (GAAP, IFRS, FASB, SOX).Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, data reconciliation), major accounting and payroll systems (Workday, Oracle, ADP), and standard office software.Strong analytical abilities and a solid grasp of financial management concepts, with preferred knowledge of the petroleum, petrochemical, and chemical industries.Excellent English communication and customer service skills, backed by the ability to multitask, manage different data formats, and consistently meet tight deadlines in high-stress environments.