Payroll Specialist

Miller Thomson; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Miller Thomson is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our team in our Canadian offices. You will manage end-to-end Canadian payroll, ensure compliance with provincial legislation (including Quebec), and collaborate with Finance and People & Culture to deliver accurate payroll and strong employee experience.

You will leverage Dayforce and advanced Excel to maintain data integrity, support year-end activities, and drive process improvements across payroll operations.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in Human Resources, Payroll, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Canadian payroll experience.
• National Payroll Institute (NPI) PCP or PLP designation preferred.
• Hands-on experience with HCM/payroll systems; Dayforce experience is a strong asset.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian provincial payroll legislation, including Quebec.
• CEBS designation is an asset.
• English required; French proficiency is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer biweekly full-cycle Canadian payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees.
• Process regular and off-cycle payrolls including bonuses, retroactive pay, adjustments, and corrections.
• Validate payroll inputs such as new hires, terminations, leaves, and deductions.
• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation across provinces including Quebec.
• Prepare remittances including QPP/CPP, EI, QPIP, income tax, CNESST, WCB, and Employer Health Tax.
• Lead year-end payroll activities including T4/RL-1/T4A and related filings.
• Maintain payroll data integrity within Dayforce and related systems.
• Provide employee payroll support with professionalism, discretion, and timeliness.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and controls.

Skills

Canadian payroll

Dayforce

Excel

Attention to detail

Organization

Discretion

Problem solving

Education

Post-secondary diploma in HR/Payroll/Accounting

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

We are seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our team in any of our offices.

The Payroll Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the accurate, compliant, and timely delivery of payroll services in support of the Firm’s Total Rewards strategy. This role is responsible for end-to-end Canadian payroll administration, legislative compliance, payroll system configuration, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Specialist partners closely with Finance, People & Culture, and external vendors to maintain payroll integrity, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver a high-quality employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Administration

• Independently administer biweekly full-cycle Canadian payroll processing for salaried and hourly employees, exercising sound judgment and accountability for payroll accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Process regular and off-cycle payrolls including bonuses, retroactive pay, adjustments, and corrections.
• Validate payroll inputs such as new hires, terminations, leaves, benefit deductions, garnishments, and taxable benefits.

Payroll Compliance and Remittances

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and provincial payroll legislation and Employment Standards in multiple provinces including Quebec.
• Prepare, review, and reconcile statutory remittances including QPP/CPP, EI, QPIP, income tax, CNESST, Workers’ Compensation, and Employer Health Tax as applicable.
• Monitor legislative changes and recommend process or system updates to ensure ongoing compliance.

Year-End Payroll & Reporting

• Lead and support year-end payroll activities including T4/RL-1/T4A preparation, reconciliation, adjustments, and filings.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for Finance, Total Rewards, and internal or external audits.
• Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with Dayforce and Finance.

Payroll Systems & Data Integrity

• In collaboration with Analyst, Total Rewards, ensure accurate payroll configuration within the HCM system including earning and deduction codes, payroll calendars, and tax settings.
• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and security of payroll data across payroll, time & attendance, benefits, and financial systems.
• Support payroll-related system testing, upgrades, and enhancements.

Employee Support & Service Excellence

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and timeliness.
• Provide guidance regarding pay statements, statutory deductions, taxable benefits, and year-end tax forms.
• Deliver a high standard of service while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive payroll information.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, accuracy, efficiency, and controls.
• Support documentation, internal controls, and audit requirements related to payroll.
• Participate in Total Rewards initiatives and cross-functional projects as required.

What You’ll Bring:

• Post-secondary diploma in Human Resources, Payroll, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive Canadian payroll experience, preferably in a complex or multi-jurisdictional environment.
• National Payroll Institute (NPI) PCP or PLP designation strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with HCM/payroll systems, Dayforce experience is a strong asset.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian provincial payroll legislation and compliance, including Quebec.
• Demonstrated expertise in Canadian payroll legislation, with particular strength in Québec payroll compliance, including Revenu Québec requirements, RL-1 reporting, QPP, QPIP, CNESST, and Québec Employment Standards legislation.
• Relevant professional designation and/or certifications including Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS); considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of Dayforce or similar HCM environments.
• English is required. French language proficiency is preferred and will be considered a significant asset, given the role's responsibility for payroll administration and compliance and employee support within and outside Quebec.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced attention to detail with reconciliation and audit experience.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.High level of professionalism, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality and data privacy.