Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist - Temp-to-Hire

Location: Somerville, NJ
Compensation: $50/hour during temporary period
Employment Type: Temp-to-Hire
Schedule: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join our team on a temp-to-hire basis. This position will be responsible for managing the full payroll process for approximately 250 employees across multiple states, ensuring payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.

The ideal candidate will have 5 years of hands-on payroll experience, strong proficiency with ADP and Excel, and a solid understanding of payroll taxes, deductions, benefits, wage calculations, and payroll reporting. This role works closely with Human Resources, Accounting, and other internal departments and requires a high level of confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and process accurate semi-monthly payroll through ADP for approximately 250 employees across NJ, NY, and PA.
• Manage employee status changes and ensure payroll records are updated accurately and timely.
• Handle all aspects of payroll processing, including:
  • General Ledger reporting
  • W-4 changes
  • Direct deposits
  • Non-exempt wage calculations
  • Voluntary and involuntary deductions
  • Garnishments
  • Salary adjustments
  • Bonuses
  • Preliminary W-2 review
• Process payroll taxes and ensure the accuracy of related tax forms and reports in accordance with IRS and applicable state requirements.
• Partner with HR to review non-exempt employee timesheets and track billable and non-billable overtime.
• Perform payroll audits and reconciliations as needed to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Work closely with HR on payroll-related matters, including benefit deductions, 401(k) and HSA contributions, leaves of absence, disability, new-hire onboarding, employee terminations, and documentation retention.
• Respond to employee payroll questions and resolve issues while providing a high level of customer service.
• Generate payroll and workforce-related reports for Management, Accounting, Human Resources, Benefits, Marketing, and other departments as needed.
• Assist with developing and improving payroll procedures, processes, and internal controls to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Complete year-end payroll processes and checklists and assist HR with year-end activities.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and security of employee compensation and personal information.
  
  

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 5 years of professional payroll experience, preferably in a multi-state environment.
• ADP experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of payroll processing, payroll taxes, deductions, garnishments, benefits, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to work with payroll data and reports.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Flexible, responsive, and adaptable with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to take initiative, work proactively, and operate independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• HRIS and benefits administration experience is a plus.
  
  

Education & Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on payroll experience in a professional environment.
• Experience with ADP and/or other payroll systems strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting HRIS and benefits administration is a plus.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, experienced payroll professional who takes ownership of the payroll process and is comfortable working with sensitive information. The successful candidate will be highly organized, deadline-driven, and proactive, with the ability to partner effectively with HR, Accounting, and employees to ensure payroll is accurate and compliant.

If you are an experienced Payroll Specialist with strong ADP and Excel skills and are interested in a temp-to-hire opportunity paying $50/hour during the temporary period, please apply with your resume for consideration.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.
Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.


• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.


• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.


• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.


• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;

· licensure and certification requirements;

· office location and other geographic considerations; and

· other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).