Senior Payroll Specialist

The Portfolio Group; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The Portfolio Group is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist in Toronto, Ontario, to own end-to-end payroll and benefits across our multi-entity operations. You will balance hands-on processing with payroll accounting, equity management, and system optimization in a detail-oriented, high-standard environment.

Required are PCP designation, 5+ years of full-cycle payroll experience including Quebec, with Workday or Dayforce proficiency and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• PCP designation required; PLP or CPM asset.
• University degree in Accounting, HR, Business or related field.
• 5+ years of full-cycle payroll experience across multi-provincial frameworks including Quebec regulations.
• Deep familiarity with HRIS platforms (Workday or Ceridian Dayforce) and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Strong communication, analytical and mathematical problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End payroll processing for executives, board trustees, salaried and hourly staff.
• Manage equity inputs including stock options and RSUs; handle deductions in Workday.
• Prepare journal entries and reconcile general ledger for CRA, Revenu Québec, EHT and WSIB.
• Lead year-end filing including T4, T4A, NR4 and Relevé 1 distributions.
• Collaborate with HR/Finance on compensation data; support HRIS projects for Workday and Dayforce.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure audit readiness across payroll processes.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Payroll expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/HR/Business

Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP)

Tools

Workday

Ceridian Dayforce

Job description

Senior Payroll Specialist (52202) Toronto, Canada

Salary: CAD90000 - CAD91500 per annum

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Executive Compensation and Payroll, the Senior Payroll Specialist takes full ownership of the end-to-end administration of payroll and benefits across our multi-entity operations. This position balances hands‑on processing with specialized payroll accounting, equity management, and system optimization.

This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who excels in a complex environment and demands high operational standards. We focus heavily on internal talent development, offering clear pathways to expand your skills across the entire spectrum of global compensation, accounting, and advanced systems.

Core Responsibilities

• End-to-End Processing: Manage the semi-monthly payroll cycle for executives, board trustees, and both salaried and hourly staff, accurately calculating standard earnings, adjustments, and special bonus structures.
• Equity & Inputs Administration: Maintain and audit equity transactions—including Stock Options and RSUs—while managing voluntary and statutory deductions in Workday.
• Payroll Accounting: Prepare comprehensive journal entries, complete general ledger reconciliations, and handle meticulous account balancing for entities like the CRA, Revenu Québec, EHT, and WSIB.
• Year-End Filing: Lead annual fiscal reporting by reconciling third-party data and successfully executing T4, T4A, NR4, and Relevé 1 distributions.
• Collaboration & Projects: Partner closely with HR and Finance to align compensation data, while contributing to HRIS project teams for Workday and Ceridian Dayforce configurations.
• Compliance & Support: Act as the internal subject matter expert to securely resolve highly confidential payroll inquiries and ensure total audit readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Certification: Active Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation is required; PLP or CPM is considered an asset.
• Education: Undergraduate university degree in Accounting, Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of full-cycle payroll experience encompassing multi-provincial frameworks, with mandatory exposure to Quebec regulations.
• Technical Skills: Deep familiarity with enterprise HRIS platforms (Workday or Ceridian Dayforce highly preferred) and advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel.
• Interpersonal Attributes: Exceptional communication skills with the confidence to advise stakeholders at all organizational levels, combined with sharp analytical and mathematical problem-solving skills.