Payroll Specialist

Sun Life Financial; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 49,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work recognition 2026

Gigs across the organization

Collaborative team environment

Charitable giving program

Care Days

Sick Days

Job summary

Sun Life Financial in Canada is seeking a Payroll Specialist for a 16-month contract to process biweekly payroll for 7,000+ US employees. You will ensure accurate tax and benefits processing, participate in audits, and support month-end and year-end activities in a high-volume environment.

The role offers hybrid work arrangements, a collaborative team, and opportunities for professional growth within a trusted employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, HR or related field.
• Payroll designation or training would be an asset.
• Minimum 2+ years HR, Payroll or Accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for 7,000+ US employees, including salaries, bonuses and deductions.
• Reconcile payroll data against company records for accuracy.
• Ensure payroll complies with federal, state, and local tax regulations and filings.
• Maintain personnel database and accurate payroll records.
• Prepare US year-end tax slips and government filings within deadlines.
• Support internal and external payroll reporting requests and audits.
• Handle payroll inquiries and assist in audits.
• Perform additional duties to support company objectives.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

US payroll processes

Workday knowledge

US payroll accounting

ADP GlobalView

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources or related field

Tools

ADP GlobalView

Workday

Job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you'll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do.

At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.

When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.

Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

16 Month Contract Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Payroll Manager, Payroll Operations, the Payroll Specialist will be responsible to process biweekly payroll for 7,000+ US employees. This is a 16-month contract position responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, tax and benefit processing while adhering to the local policies, regulations, and compliance requirements within their mandate. The Payroll Specialist will actively participate in the process improvement, month end and year end processes. This position will also be accountable for assisting in all payroll-related audits, and payroll related inquiries.

What will you do?

• Process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for 7,000+ US employees ensuring that salaries, bonuses, overtime, deductions, and other adjustments are accurately calculated and paid on time.
• Reconcile payroll data against company records to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure payroll processing adheres to relevant federal, state, and local tax regulations, including tax calculations, benefit deductions, and statutory filings.
• Maintain database of personnel information and accurate payroll records.
• Prepare US year-end employee tax slips or forms and submission of government filings within established deadlines.
• Support all internal and external payroll related reporting requests.
• Participate in all internal and external audits.
• Handle payroll inquiries.
• Perform other duties as required in support of Company objectives.

What do you need to succeed?

• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of US Payroll processes and taxation; knowledge of ADP GlobalView and Workday would be an asset.
• Experience in payroll accounting (general ledger entries, reconciliations, etc.).
• Able to work in a fast-paced, high volume setting in our growing company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources or related field.
• Payroll designation or another formal payroll training would be an asset.
• Minimum of 2+ years HR, Payroll or Accounting experience.

What’s in it for you?

• We're proud to be recognized as a company with a 2026 Most Trusted Executive team by Great Place to Work Canada
• Access to short-term assignments or 'Gigs' across the organization, to help you develop new skills and connections.
• A collaborative and interactive team environment
• Charitable giving through our You Give, We Give program lets you give back to your community - and in many cases, we'll match your contributions.
• Care Days available for self-care or care of others (i.e., family or others you may support) and Sick Days to support your well-being.

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [e-mail].

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Range:

49,000/49 000 - 77,000/77 000

Job Category:

Human Resources

Posting End Date:

01/09/2026