Payroll Specialist

 The Payroll Specialist supports accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for the organization's restaurants. This role reviews time and attendance punches, identifies and resolves exceptions, verifies and reconciles tip information in tip reporting system and related systems, reviews payroll journals and audits, enters payroll data and deductions, and partners with restaurant leaders to ensure employees are paid correctly. The Payroll Specialist serves as a responsive resource for restaurant teams and helps maintain reliable payroll records, documentation, and compliance processes.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

 Payroll

·         Review time and attendance records before each payroll to identify missed, duplicate, early or late punches, unapproved overtime, meal or break issues, and other exceptions.

·         Research and resolve timekeeping exceptions by contacting restaurant managers and employees, obtaining missing time or tip information, documenting corrections, and securing required approvals.

·         Reconcile tips against the actual tip amounts paid to employees, including tip allocations.

·         Validate wages, hours, overtime, differentials, bonuses, garnishments, vacation time, insurance deductions, and all other authorized payroll inputs for accuracy and timely approval.

·         Review payroll journals for assigned venues before processing and conduct audits comparing reports with payroll sheets; document and report findings.

·         Troubleshoot discrepancies involving tip logs, Avero reports, payroll sheets, and related payroll records, and act as liaison with Accounting to resolve credit or debit discrepancies.

·         Track and document vacation and sick time, maintain organized and confidential employee paperwork, and keep management informed of balances, usage, and issues requiring attention.

·         Support restaurant teams with payroll questions, timekeeping guidance, correction requests, and payroll deadlines.

·         Collaborate with Human Resources, Operations, Finance, and restaurant leadership to investigate and correct payroll discrepancies, communicate recurring issues, and recommend process improvements or training.

·         Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

 Required Qualifications

·         High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or payroll certification preferred.

·         Two or more years of experience in payroll, timekeeping, HR operations, accounting, or a related administrative role; restaurant or hospitality experience preferred.

·         Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to identify discrepancies in time, attendance, or pay-related data.

·         Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets and the ability to learn payroll and timekeeping systems quickly.

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with restaurant managers and employees.

·         Ability to manage recurring payroll deadlines, prioritize multiple requests, and follow issues through to resolution.

·         Experience using Evention, Avero, Paylocity, TimePro or comparable tip-management, timekeeping, or payroll platforms; Paylocity experience preferred.

·         Experience supporting multiple restaurant locations in different states.

·         Familiarity with tip pooling, tip allocation, service charges, and related restaurant payroll practices.