Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

Duration: 12 Months Contract (Possibility of Extension)

Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid)

Pay rate: $30 per hour on w2, without benefits/holidays/vacation

Job Description:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely end-to-end processing of multi-state payroll while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations. This role manages the full payroll cycle, including reviewing and validating employee data, processing earnings and deductions, auditing payroll results, resolving payroll discrepancies, and responding to employee and management inquiries. The Payroll Specialist partners with Human Resources, Finance and other internal teams to maintain payroll accuracy, ensure compliance, and support an exceptional employee experience through efficient payroll operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Processes bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll accurately and within established deadlines.
• Reviews payroll data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies.
• Audits employee timecards, pay changes, new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, and other payroll transactions.
• Processes earnings, deductions, reimbursements, bonuses, retroactive pay, and adjustments.
• Maintains and monitors the payroll Salesforce queue, responding to employee and manager inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Researches and resolves payroll discrepancies and employee questions.
• Reviews payroll reports before payroll is finalized and identifies any exceptions requiring correction.
• Processes final paychecks in accordance with applicable state laws.
• Coordinates payroll activities with Human Resources, Finance, and Benefits.
• Maintains employee payroll records and support documentation.
• Ensures payroll deadlines are consistently met.
• Identifies opportunities to improve payroll efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintains confidentiality of payroll and employee information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, the individual should demonstrate competencies in performing the essential functions of this position by performing satisfactorily in each of these competencies.

• Problem solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and reviews information appropriately. Uses own judgment and acts independently; seeks input from other team members as appropriate for complex or sensitive situations.
• Oral/written communication: Listens carefully and speaks clearly and professionally in all situations. Edits work for accuracy and clarity, can create, read and interpret complex written information. Ability to develop strong interpersonal networks within the organization.
• Planning/organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities, organizes personal and project timelines and deadlines, tracks project timelines and deadlines, and uses time efficiently
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and can deal with frequent interruptions, changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability: Consistently on time and at work, responds to management expectations and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Team Building: Capable of developing strong interpersonal networks and trust within the organization. Leads consensus by involving all stakeholders, facilitating their understanding of differences, agreeing on requirements and constraints, and developing the best solution.

Education:

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED required.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of payroll administration experience with a strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to process payroll end-to-end, resolve strong complex payroll issues, and work effectively with payroll systems such as ADP, Workday, Salesforce, or similar HRIS platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills are essential. Additional required and/or preferred experience includes:

Skills, Qualifications and Abilities:

• Expertise in dealing with multistate payroll processing and regulations.
• Strong Excel skills, including formulas, filtering, and data validation.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Experience with payroll audits and payroll reporting.
• Experience supporting payroll system implementations or upgrades.

Thank you!