Certified Payroll Specialist

Tarvos Talent; Texas; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarvos Talent is seeking an experienced Certified Payroll Specialist to support a project-based organization with complex payroll compliance. The role focuses on prevailing wage regulations, certified payroll reporting, and union compliance across construction projects.

The ideal candidate has hands-on CPR reporting, can interpret Davis‑Bacon requirements, and manage detailed payroll documentation. Collaboration with internal teams in a deadline-driven environment is essential; proficiency in

Qualifications

• Hands-on CPR reporting experience.
• Understanding of prevailing wage regulations.
• Experience with construction/public works payrolls.
• Knowledge of wage determinations and fringe benefits.
• Strong Excel skills for payroll analytics.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit Certified Payroll Reports (CPRs) for public works and government-funded projects.
• Interpret federal, state, and local prevailing wage determinations, including Davis-Bacon requirements.
• Verify employee classifications, wage rates, overtime, and fringe benefits.
• Review and administer union payroll requirements and collective bargaining agreements.
• Calculate and reconcile employer-paid fringe benefit credits.
• Audit payroll records, timesheets, labor distributions, and project coding for accuracy.

Skills

CPR expertise

Prevailing Wage

Construction Payroll

Excel Pivot/VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP

Attention to detail

Tools

LCPtracker

ADP

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Certified Payroll Specialist to support a growing project-based organization with complex payroll compliance requirements. This individual will play an important role in ensuring accurate payroll administration across construction and infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on prevailing wage regulations, certified payroll reporting, and union compliance.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience preparing certified payroll reports, interpreting prevailing wage requirements, and managing detailed payroll documentation. This is a hands‑on position suited for someone who enjoys working through detailed information, resolving discrepancies, and supporting internal teams in a deadline‑driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit Certified Payroll Reports (CPRs) for public works and government‑funded projects.
• Interpret federal, state, and local prevailing wage determinations, including Davis‑Bacon requirements.
• Verify employee classifications, applicable wage rates, overtime, and fringe benefit calculations.
• Review and administer union payroll requirements, including collective bargaining agreements, benefit contributions, and deductions.
• Calculate and reconcile employer‑paid fringe benefit credits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and PTO.
• Audit payroll records, employee timesheets, labor distributions, and project coding for accuracy and compliance.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies and coordinate corrections with internal teams.
• Follow up with project managers and employees to obtain missing timesheets, supporting documentation, and payroll information.
• Maintain accurate compliance records and assist with internal and external audits.
• Support payroll compliance procedures and reporting improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands‑on experience preparing and submitting Certified Payroll Reports.
• Strong working knowledge of prevailing wage regulations and Davis‑Bacon requirements.
• Experience with construction, public works, or government‑funded project payroll.
• Understanding of wage determinations, employee classifications, and fringe benefit calculations.
• Experience with union payroll administration and collective bargaining agreements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, and XLOOKUP.
• Comfortable with manual payroll processing, detailed reconciliations, and repetitive administrative tasks.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Patient, collaborative, and service‑oriented approach to supporting internal teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with LCPtracker or similar certified payroll reporting platforms.
• Experience with ADP, ADP Lyric, Vantage, or Solomon.
• Background supporting infrastructure, engineering, construction, or government‑funded projects.
• Experience assisting with payroll compliance audits.

Ideal Candidate

Someone who understands that certified payroll requires accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail. This person should be comfortable working through manual processes, following up on outstanding information, and serving as a dependable resource for project teams.

Certified Payroll and Prevailing Wage experience are mandatory. General payroll experience alone will not meet the requirements of this position.