Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Location: Bowie, Maryland (must be local to Maryland and a US Citizen)

Schedule: On-site, Monday–Friday

Compensation: $70,000–$90,000 base salary bonus and benefits

Position Overview

We are partnering with a growing professional services organization seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join its expanding HR and Payroll Services team. This is a client-facing position responsible for managing accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for a diverse portfolio of small and mid-sized businesses.

The Payroll Specialist will oversee approximately 20–25 payrolls per month across 7–8 clients and roughly 300 employees. Payroll schedules include weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly cycles. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, service-driven, comfortable working across multiple clients and jurisdictions, and knowledgeable about payroll taxes, reporting, compliance, and reconciliations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing for multiple clients with weekly, bi-weekly, and semi-monthly pay schedules.
• Review and validate employee timesheets, payroll data, earnings, deductions, and supporting documentation.
• Run payroll audit and change reports, identify discrepancies, and make corrections before final processing.
• Process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, commissions, garnishments, benefit deductions, reimbursements, and other special payments.
• Complete post-payroll activities, including reporting, reconciliations, journal-entry support, and client deliverables.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure employee information is updated within payroll and HR systems.
• Support payroll tax registrations, filings, notices, and compliance requirements across multiple states and local jurisdictions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, tax issues, amended filings, off-cycle payments, and W-2 or 1099 corrections.
• Respond to client and employee payroll questions with accuracy, professionalism, and a strong sense of urgency.
• Coordinate with HR, Finance, Accounting, benefits providers, and outside vendors to resolve payroll-related matters.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling payroll, compensation, tax, benefits, and employee information.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and internal processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of current, hands-on payroll processing experience; 5 years is strongly preferred.
• Experience processing high-volume, full-cycle payroll across multiple states and jurisdictions.
• Previous experience supporting multiple clients or working in an outsourced payroll, professional services, or accounting environment is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage-and-hour requirements, deductions, garnishments, reporting, reconciliations, and payroll compliance.
• Experience with Paycom, ADP Workforce Now, and/or ADP Client Connect is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and comfort learning additional financial, payroll, and HR systems.
• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, analytical ability, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll calendars, client priorities, and deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Polished communication skills and the ability to provide responsive, professional client service.
• Collaborative, dependable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing environment.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary of $70,000–$90,000, based on experience, certifications, and technical expertise.
• Bonus opportunities, including year-end and new-client incentives.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• HSA and FSA options.
• Life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunity for professional growth as the client base and payroll division continue to expand.

This is a confidential search. Additional information about the organization will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.