Payroll Specialist

Carmichael Engineering Ltd.; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Carmichael Engineering Ltd. is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage weekly Canadian payroll for 850 employees, using ADP Workforce Now. You will handle data entry, employee changes, and compliance across provinces.

This hybrid role is based in Montreal, with 2 in-office days per week, 40 hours, and close collaboration with Finance to ensure accurate reporting, remittances, and year-end processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of payroll experience.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian provincial labor standards and unionized payroll.

Responsibilities

• Process full payroll cycle weekly using ADP Workforce Now.
• Manage employee data changes: onboarding, salary adjustments, promotions, transfers, ROE.

Skills

Payroll processing

ADP Workforce Now

Bilingual FR/EN

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

Job Title: Payroll Specialist – Multi-Province & CCQ Specialist

Frequency: Weekly payroll

Volume: 850 employees (320 non-unionized, 530 unionized, CCQ payroll, multi-province)

System: ADP Workforce Now

Role Overview

As a Payroll Specialist reporting to the Payroll Manager (PLP), you will be the central point of compensation for our 850 employees across Canada. Working within a weekly cycle, you will manage the full payroll process—from data entry to legislative compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Weekly Payroll Processing

• Process the full payroll cycle each week for all Canadian employees using ADP Workforce Now.

Employee Data Management

• Accurately input and process employee changes:
• Onboarding: Create employee profiles for new hires
• Changes: Salary adjustments, promotions, and transfers
• Offboarding: Calculate final balances and issue Records of Employment (ROE)
• Manage time banks and absences, including personal paid time, vacation tracking and payouts, sick leave, and other special leaves.
• Validate and process timesheets and hours worked.

Payroll Data & Accounting Integration

• Ensure accurate and complete transfer of payroll data to accounting journals, according to timelines established with the Finance department.
• Produce, validate, and submit payroll reports for accounting allocation, including:
• Regular wages and hours
• Overtime
• Employer payroll taxes (CPP/QPP, EI, QPIP, WSIB, CNESST, etc.)
• Taxable benefits
• Vacation and allowances
• Union and CCQ contributions
• Ensure data exported from ADP Workforce Now aligns with the existing general ledger (GL) account structure.
• Perform payroll reconciliations between ADP reports and the general ledger.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve payroll-related discrepancies or accounting anomalies in a timely manner.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance/Accounting team to ensure smooth and accurate payroll data integration.
• Participate in financial and payroll audits, including preparing supporting documentation.
• Maintain thorough documentation of payroll-to-accounting transfer processes and suggest continuous improvements.

Compliance & Audit

• Reconcile payroll reports and prepare government and union remittances.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries clearly and professionally.
• Actively participate in year-end processes (T4 / Relevé 1) and payroll audits.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of payroll experience
• System Expertise: Advanced proficiency in ADP Workforce Now
• Expertise: Strong knowledge of labor standards across all Canadian provinces and unionized payroll management
• Languages: Bilingualism (French and English) required to support all Canadian offices
• Certification: PCP (Payroll Compliance Practitioner) designation from the National Payroll Institute is a strong asset

Ideal Profile

We are looking for someone who can remain calm under the pressure of a weekly payroll cycle. You have strong attention to detail—“zero error” is your standard.

Schedule & Working Conditions

• Location: 3822 ave de Courtrai, Montreal QC
• Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (40 hours per week)
• Hybrid work model: up to 2 days per week in the office (6–8 days per month)

Health and Safety is a core paramount value of Carmichael Engineering. Given the importance of keeping one another safe, you are expected to comply with our Health and safety policies at all times and client Health and Safety policies when working at client locations.

Carmichael Engineering welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.

Proudly Canadian since 1922, Carmichael is a third-generation family-owned business built on a legacy of long-term relationships, trust, and people-first values. As we've grown into a national company, we've remained committed to preserving the culture that has defined us for more than a century—one where employees are supported, respected, and empowered to build meaningful careers.