Paymaster

Entertainment Partners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision options

401(k) retirement plan with company  匹

Paid holidays, vacation and sick time

Participation in equity plans

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Entertainment Partners is seeking an experienced Paymaster to join our payroll team. You will process high-volume timecards, ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, and maintain strong client relationships with production teams.

You will use EP payroll tools and Qlik for analysis, mentor junior paymasters, and help deliver accurate, on-time payments across multiple productions, while upholding our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Excellent client service with prompt communication.
• Accurate data entry and attention to payroll details.
• Knowledge of wage and hour laws and union contracts.
• Familiarity with payroll tools and reporting software.

Responsibilities

• Process 500+ timecards weekly and maintain accurate records.
• Audit and enter start cards; ensure timely payroll processing.
• Run reports and perform earnings analyses using Qlik.
• Communicate coverage plans and escalation paths to clients.
• Mentor junior paymasters and share best practices.

Skills

Client service

Data entry

Communication

Attention to detail

Training documentation

Tools

Qlik

Salesforce

SmartStart

Job description

At Entertainment Partners and Central Casting, we are committed to creating an environment where every employee is seen, where ideas, thoughts and perspectives are shared openly, and where fearless innovation is encouraged. Weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into who we are will drive our competitiveness by encouraging creativity and enhanced decision making.

We help to power Oscar-winning films, Emmy-winning shows, and Clio-winning commercials. Feel the satisfaction of doing work that directly impacts the most exciting industry in the world. EP is poised to redefine and evolve the back‑office processes of the entertainment community with security at the core of what we do.

Are you looking for the next opportunity to revolutionize an industry? If so....

The EP Paymaster is the primary service provider and the face of EP to our production clients. EP payroll clients evaluate our service not only on the merit of the products we provide, but also in large part on the relationship they have with their paymaster. It is paramount to EP's success that all paymasters possess excellent client communication skills, solid proficiency in EP's payroll programs — including entry programs, report utilities, and audit tools — and a strong working knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, union crews, SAG and DGA requirements, fringes, and EP policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Calculate, audit, and process above and below the line payroll in accordance with client, employee, union, state, and federal requirements within established turnaround times.
• Establish and maintain complete and accurate production files; file project documents electronically in Show Folders.
• Maintain working knowledge of state, federal, and workers' compensation statutory requirements and EP policies and procedures.
• Enter or review start cards accurately; process start cards manually or in SmartStart as applicable.
• Keep project information in Salesforce up to date, including payroll schedule and projected timecards.
• Ensure all hand-off instructions are clear to the designated backup; communicate backup information to the client at all times.
• When serving as backup, contact each client and communicate coverage for the day.
• Ensure weekly adjustments are completed by end of week; escape to manager if not. Review, validate, and communicate completed adjustments to clients.
• Change voicemail daily; set out-of-office messages on weekends and as needed.
• Maintain employee accountability standards: accuracy, turnaround, and client service. No negative talk.
• Attend training classes and complete e-learning courses with a score of 80% or higher.
• Ensure compliance with document retention and processes (I-9s, etc.).
• Submit HTG rules as needed to Ask Contracts.
• Elevate client issues to manager through the appropriate chain of command.
• When available, assist the team and COE wherever needed; check team emails for coverage.

Assistant Paymaster — Additional Responsibilities

• Process 500+ timecards weekly.
• Complete edits and communicate to clients within established turnaround times.
• Run Project Queries, BIT reports, and employee earnings analysis as applicable.
• Gain basic knowledge of Los Angeles entertainment contracts utilizing Reach 360 and eLearning resources.
• Facilitate the payroll process for the department and run standard payroll reports.

Associate Paymaster — Additional Responsibilities

• Process 700+ timecards weekly.
• Process straightforward adjustments independently.
• Use Qlik to research and audit items for clients.
• Provide employee and project reporting as applicable.
• Demonstrate ability to cover other team members as needed.

Staff Paymaster — Additional Responsibilities

• Process 1,000+ timecards weekly.
• Use Qlik to research, audit, and run reports for clients internally and externally.
• Train and hand off projects to less experienced paymasters without impacting client relationships.
• Proactively support team members as needed.

Senior Paymaster — Additional Responsibilities

• Process 1,200+ timecards weekly.
• Assist with difficult adjustments, retros, and complex client payroll rules.
• Help manager support the team; cover for manager when needed.
• Mentor other paymasters; function as a Subject Matter Expert for the department.
• Develop union contract cheat sheets and provide guidelines to others on show setup and payment.

JOB REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED

• All paymasters must deliver excellent client service — returning calls and emails promptly, proactively communicating payroll status, and ensuring each client feels partnered with EP. Written communication must be concise and professional. Client issues are escalated through the appropriate chain of command.
• Classes on client service, wage and hour laws (including exempt/non-exempt), union contracts, and fringes.
• Data and systems training; Lynda.com and assigned eLearning courses.
• Show Folder training with a training manager; all edits reviewed before or after payroll processing.
• Extensive worksheets combined with data entry: hand-break and key timecards hours-to-gross.
• Classes and manager training in union contracts, SAG and DGA (workshops and training videos).
• Classes and manager training in fringes, including pension, health, and welfare.
• All edits reviewed at the start of any new project — ideally before payroll is processed.
• Classes and manager training in union and guild contracts.
• Classes and manager training in fringes, including pension, health, and welfare.
• Classes and manager training on foreign withholding and Canadian tax regulations.
• Classes and manager training in union and guild contracts, fringes, and foreign withholding including Canadian tax regulations.
• Continuous development and team leadership training.

Other benefits and perks included are:

• Health, Dental, and Vision options
• 401(k) retirement savings plan and company match
• Paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time
• Participation in company equity plans
• Employee Assistance Program, mental health and wellness programs
• Training and development
• Annual bonus and merit reviews

The salary range for this position in $42,000 to $75,000 and will be commensurate with experience related to the position.

Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.