Payroll Specialist

Job Description

The Payroll Specialist processes high-volume, bi-weekly in-house payroll and ensures accurate, timely, and compliant payment to employees. This role requires strong technical payroll knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to handle complex tax calculations, union deductions, and manual payroll activities. The Payroll Specialist also serves as a key point of contact for employee payroll inquiries and supports a collaborative, growth-oriented finance and accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time for approximately 2,000 employees.
• Perform full federal and state tax calculations and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepare and submit manual payroll checks and direct deposits as needed.
• Void and reverse issued checks in accordance with internal controls and policies.
• Collect and verify employee banking information for direct deposit setup and updates.
• Maintain, update, and document all payroll records in an organized and compliant manner.
• Reconcile and prepare union deduction payments, ensuring accuracy and timely remittance.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues or concerns.
• Process withholding orders and garnishments in accordance with federal and state laws.
• Accurately enter, review, and validate payroll data, including timecards, bonuses, and other earnings.
• Use Workday to process and manage in-house payroll and related transactions.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the payroll and accounting teams to resolve discrepancies and improve processes.
• Protect sensitive payroll information by maintaining strict confidentiality at all times.
• Independently troubleshoot payroll issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
• Deliver on commitments and meet deadlines in an environment with multiple responsibilities and priorities.
  
  

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Experience handling payroll for a volume of at least 500 employees.
• Proven experience processing in-house payroll, including timecards, bonuses, and cutting checks.
• Strong understanding of federal and state tax calculations and payroll compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in Workday payroll systems (Workday experience is required).
• Proficient data entry skills with a high degree of accuracy and speed.
• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, with working knowledge of spreadsheets.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for reporting and analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information confidently and effectively.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive payroll and employee information.
• Demonstrated ability to be decisive, resolve issues, and follow through on commitments.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and multi-task in an environment with multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to independently problem-solve and make sound decisions in a fast-paced setting.
  
  

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience processing payroll for 2,000 or more employees is highly beneficial.
• Experience with in-house manual payroll processes, including timecards, bonus calculations, and manual check cutting.
• Experience with garnishments and processing withholding orders is a strong plus.
• English/Spanish bilingual skills are a plus and can enhance support for a diverse employee population.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments.
• Comfort working directly with senior leadership, including owners and C-suite executives.
• Desire for long-term growth within an organization that promotes from within and supports career development.
  
  

Work Environment

This role is part of a sizeable accounting department of approximately 50 people and a dedicated payroll team of several specialists. The organization offers a flexible start time between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., provided the schedule is consistent and the full 8-hour day is worked for a 40-hour work week.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bethesda, MD.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.04 - $31.25/hr.

Requirements

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
  
  

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bethesda,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.