Payroll Specialist

City of Courtenay; Courtenay; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Canada seeks a Payroll Specialist to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing. This role involves collaborating with finance and HR teams, managing payroll compliance, and maintaining payroll systems. The ideal candidate has a Diploma in Business Administration and 3–5 years of payroll experience. Competitive salary and benefits provided, along with a great work environment and the chance to live in beautiful Courtenay.

Benefits

Optional flex time program

Beautiful surroundings with a high quality of life

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of payroll experience, ideally in a unionized or local government environment.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation and benefits administration.
• Able to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing bi-weekly and monthly.
• Liaise with Finance staff to ensure accuracy in payroll processes.
• Research policies to respond to employee pay queries.

Skills

Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP)

Advanced Excel skills

Attention to detail

Strong judgment

Collaboration

Education

Diploma in Business Administration, Accounting, Commerce, or related field

Tools

Diamond Great Plains

Worktech/Pearl

Job description

City of Courtenay

Payroll Specialist

You are the guardian of fairness. If you want to make a meaningful impact on one of the most livable cities in BC, it’s time to join the City of Courtenay as their new Payroll Specialist. In this important permanent full-time role, you will make sure that staff are paid accurately and on time. You will be a trusted expert and problem solver, supporting payroll operations, ensuring compliance with the collective agreement and legislation, and contributing to a workplace where employees can focus on serving the community, confident that their pay and benefits are handled with care and precision. Reporting to the Manager of Financial Planning, Payroll and Business Performance, this role is ideal for you if you value accuracy, confidentiality, and the quiet satisfaction of keeping a complex system running smoothly.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Work in-person in our Courtenay office with the Financial Services team, as well as the Human Resources group.
• Collaborate with the Payroll Coordinator to ensure the accurate and timely preparation and processing of the bi-weekly, monthly, and annual payroll duties, including payroll remittances, T4’s slips and periodic and year-end reporting.
• Process employee information for new hires, terminations, salary changes, reclassifications, status changes and other work / life events.
• Review employee data, research policies and the collective agreement to respond to pay queries in a timely fashion.
• Prepare monthly and year end reconciliations for payroll related accounts and ensure remittance payments and journal entries are correctly prepared and processed on a timely basis.
• Liaise with Finance staff to ensure the accuracy of all functions of the payroll process.
• Seek out leading practices, develop and recommend changes to improve service quality, and streamline payroll processes.

What You’ll Bring:

• Diploma in Business Administration, Accounting, Commerce, or a related field
• Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation and membership with the National Payroll Institute
• 3–5 years of payroll experience, ideally in a unionized or local government environment
• Strong working knowledge of payroll legislation, collective agreement, benefits administration, and government reporting
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with payroll systems (Diamond Great Plains and Worktech/Pearl are assets)
• A collaborative mindset, strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and discretion with sensitive information

Why Courtenay?

• A salary of $73,244 to $83,232 (Pay Band 2)
• An optional flex time program
• With naturally beautiful surroundings from the scenic Strathcona Provincial Park to world-class hiking, biking, and skiing, the region offers a high quality of life and an exceptional lifestyle alongside a thriving arts and food scene.

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and the top candidate will pass a clear Criminal Record Check. A Supplementary Information Package can be obtained by request from the Consultant, which includes a complete job description and full details of the compensation and benefits. To apply, send your resume and cover letter by Fri. March 6, 2026, 5:00 pm to Tall Cedars Search & Recruitment: Flo Follero-Pugh, Tall Cedars Search & Recruitment [e-mail] www.tallcedars.ca