Payroll Specialist

FGS Global is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join the firm’s payroll team. The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing for about 700 U.S. employees, along with preparation support for a small Canadian population. This role requires accuracy, confidentiality, and the ability to partner effectively with HR, Accounting, and Finance teams. This position is based in Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

• Process and administer three U.S. payrolls (two semi-monthly and one bi-weekly) accurately and on schedule.
• Prepare and validate payroll data for a small Canadian employee group.
• Partner with HR, Accounting, and Finance on payroll funding, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as company policies.
• Prepare payroll for a primarily salaried workforce, with the addition of a small hourly employee population.
• Administer and verify manual time-entry for bi-weekly payrolls.
• Support payroll audits, tax filings, and year-end processing (W-2s, T4s, etc.).
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Recommend and support process improvements and automation initiatives.
  
  
  
  

Attributes

• 3–8 years of hands-on payroll experience, preferably within a mid- to large-sized organization.
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now required; NetSuite familiarity strongly preferred.
• Experience processing end-to-end payroll required.
• Experience with multi-state payroll, including knowledge of state-specific wage and hour regulations.
• Familiarity with Canadian payroll processes a plus.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting, journal entries, and payroll-related GL reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance, taxation, garnishments, and reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting year-end processes, including W-2 and T4 issuance.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, v-lookups, reconciliations).
• Proven ability to manage high volumes of data with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner cross-functionally.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Customer-service orientation, with experience handling payroll-related employee inquiries.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• CPP, FPC, or similar payroll certification preferred but not required.
  
  
  
  

About FGS Global -

FGS Global is a strategic advisory and communications consultancy, with over 1400 multidisciplinary experts across the world’s major financial, government, business, and cultural centers. The firm is an acknowledged leader in crisis, corporate reputation, public affairs and capital markets, M&A advisory and boardroom communication counsel. FGS Global supports its clients in addressing a myriad of stakeholder concerns by leveraging its research and insights, media placement, content, digital, and data capabilities. The company was created in December 2021 by combining Finsbury, Hering Schuppener, The Glover Park Group, and Sard Verbinnen & Co. FGS Global serves its client base from 27 cities worldwide, including U.S. Offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, South Florida, and Houston.

District of Columbia Salary Range

$80,000—$110,000 USD