Payroll Specialist

Jeda, LLC

contact@jedallc.com

Location: Sterling, VA

Payroll Specialist I

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and dependable Payroll Specialist to manage the accurate and timely processing of employee payroll. This position is responsible for maintaining payroll records, reviewing timekeeping data, calculating wages and deductions, resolving payroll discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The ideal candidate has hands-on payroll experience, strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to handle confidential employee and financial information with discretion.

Key Responsibilities

• Process weekly, biweekly, or semi-monthly payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Review employee timesheets and timekeeping records for accuracy and completeness.
• Calculate regular wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, reimbursements, deductions, and other payroll adjustments.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll information, including pay rates, tax elections, direct deposit information, deductions, and benefit contributions.
• Process new hires, terminations, compensation changes, and other employee status changes within the payroll system.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee questions, and payment issues.
• Reconcile payroll reports and verify payroll totals before final processing.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation for audits and internal reporting.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws and company policies.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting, filings, and reconciliations.
• Process wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other required deductions.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, and Operations regarding payroll-related matters.
• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, tax, banking, and personal information.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll procedures, controls, documentation, and efficiency.
• Create and maintain payroll procedures, SOPs, and process documentation.
• Support internal and external payroll audits as required.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of payroll processing experience preferred.
• Experience processing payroll for hourly and salaried employees.
• Strong understanding of payroll calculations, overtime, deductions, payroll taxes, and wage and hour requirements.
• Experience with payroll and timekeeping software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, spreadsheets, and data reconciliation.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to meet strict payroll deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Experience supporting employees working in multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, UKG, QuickBooks Payroll, or similar platforms.
• Experience with construction, technology, field-service, or project-based organizations.
• Familiarity with certified payroll and prevailing wage requirements is a plus.
• Experience reconciling payroll data with accounting or ERP systems.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred but not required.

Core Competencies

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Payroll compliance
• Time management
• Organization and documentation
• Analytical problem-solving
• Financial reconciliation
• Deadline management
• Cross-functional communication
• Process improvement

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Environment

• This position operates primarily in a professional office environment and requires regular use of payroll, accounting, timekeeping, and business software. The Payroll Specialist will work closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, and Operations to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.

Salary and Benefits

·      $62,400/year (experience based)

·      Health and Dental Insurance – 80% employer contribution

·      401k

·      PTO