Payroll Assistant

Project Worldwide; Auburn Hills (MI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Project Worldwide is seeking a Payroll Assistant (Contract) in Auburn Hills, MI to support day-to-day payroll data entry and record maintenance across multiple locations. You will assist with processing, documentation, and data accuracy while collaborating with HR and Finance teams.

The role is hybrid, contracting through 03/2027, with responsibilities including data entry for bonuses, taxes, and deductions, plus maintaining payroll records and responding to routine inquiries.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 0–2 years of payroll processing or data entry experience.
• Proficiency with ADP, Workday, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, MS Office, and Google Workspace.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication; ability to work in a team.
• Ability to handle confidential data with discretion and security.

Responsibilities

• Assist with weekly and bi-weekly payroll data entry for Shop and Office employees.
• Enter bonuses, sick, ESOP, and holiday hours into the payroll system.
• Update basic payroll changes such as new hires and separations.
• Support payroll functions including tax changes, garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit.
• Review timesheets for accuracy and hours worked.
• Enter global JDE job cost time entries as needed.
• Answer payroll questions and escalate complex inquiries promptly.
• Maintain payroll records and prepare cycle reports for review.
• Collaborate with HR and Benefits teams to gather payroll information.
• Assist internal audits by pulling necessary documentation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

Team collaboration

Verbal & written communication

Confidentiality

Education

Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business

Tools

ADP

Workday

JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Power the Creative Alliance Built for a New Era.

Project Worldwide is a radically collaborative alliance of elite independent agencies operating as one connected creative force. We are a Creative Alliance for the Ambitious.

Project Worldwide is a global network of 13 agencies, 45 offices, and 2,300 creative allies united by Hyperconnected Creativity™. The alliance helps brands build meaningful brand experiences by connecting expertise across marketing, communications, entertainment, strategy, and innovation. Through collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking, Project agencies deliver bold ideas that challenge conventions and drive real impact for clients worldwide. Visit us at project.com.

Why Join Our Team?

Seamless Collaboration: We don’t believe in transactional structures. Our teams build and own the shared operational frameworks that allow talent, technology, and ideas to deploy fluidly across the alliance. You are the backbone that accelerates our speed-to-market.

An Environment of Ownership: We are an agency-first, employee-owned network. We invest heavily in our people, creating clear career pathways and fostering a professional corporate culture that is deeply inspired by brave brands and bold, modern creators.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About the Role:

Position Summary:

The Payroll Assistant (Contract) supports the payroll team by assisting with day-to-day data entry and payroll record maintenance accurately and on time for multiple locations. This position will support payroll processing, routine documentation, and basic data entry tasks. The role will collaborate with HR and Finance teams to support seamless payroll operations.

Contracted through 03/2027 in Auburn Hills, MI

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assisting with the administration and data entry of weekly and bi-weekly payroll for our Shop and Office employees.
• Entering special bonuses, sick, ESOP, and holiday hours into the payroll system.
• Entering and updating basic payroll changes (New hires, separations, etc.).
• Assisting with payroll-related functions, including data entry for tax changes, wage garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit.
• Reviewing and auditing employee timesheets for hours worked and accuracy.
• Assisting with entry of global JDE job cost time entries.
• Answering standard employee payroll questions and escalating complex inquiries in a timely, customer-focused manner.
• Maintaining and filing payroll records according to retention schedules.
• Gathering and organizing payroll cycle reports, changes made to earning and deduction records, and special items for review.
• Assisting in maintaining accurate employee payroll records.
• Supporting internal audit and audit requests by pulling documentation as needed.
• Partnering with benefits and HR teams to gather information for payroll processing.
• Participating in team or cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Other duties as assigned in alignment with business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education/experience).
• 0–2 years of payroll processing or administrative data entry experience.
• Proficiency in ADP, Workday, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Basic mathematical and calculation skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to focus on detailed information, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to read and interpret data on a computer screen and standard printed documents.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality and follow applicable security protocols.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role is classified as hybrid, with work being conducted at the Auburn Hills office periodically to fulfill job responsibilities. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

• Standard office type work; prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer (i.e., keyboard, mouse, and monitor).
• Physical demands may include walking, carrying, reaching, standing, and stooping.
• May involve occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Additional Informatio n:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the at-will employment relationship between the employee and the Company.