Payroll Specialist

Ascension Property Services; Brentwood (TN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascension Property Services seeks a Payroll Specialist to manage accurate, timely multi-state payroll across operating companies in a fast-paced construction environment. You will ensure pay correctness, maintain records, and respond to employee inquiries while partnering with HR and Operations.

Based in Brentwood, TN, this office-based role includes one remote day per week and supports prevailing wage projects, certified payroll reporting, and Davis-Bacon compliance under Corporate Accounting.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of payroll processing experience required.
• Certified payroll and prevailing wage experience required.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar systems; ADP preferred.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly payroll accurately for hourly and salaried employees.
• Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Audit and reconcile payroll records; resolve discrepancies.
• Support certified payroll reporting and Davis-Bacon compliance as applicable.

Skills

Payroll processing

Certified payroll

ADP Workforce Now

Multi-state payroll

Tools

Payroll software

MS Office Suite

Job description

Ascension Property Services is seeking a Payroll Specialist who is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll for employees across multiple operating companies within a fast-paced construction and field services environment. This role ensures payroll transactions are processed accurately, employees are paid correctly and on time, and payroll records are maintained in compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

This position is a member of the Corporate Accounting department and will be reporting to the Payroll Manager. The Payroll Specialist serves as a key resource supporting payroll administration, payroll audits, reporting, reconciliations, and employee pay inquiries while partnering closely with Human Resources and Operations as needed. The position also supports prevailing wage projects, certified payroll reporting, and Davis-Bacon compliance requirements as applicable to the business, ensuring contractual and regulatory obligations are met.

The ideal candidate possesses strong payroll processing experience, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex payroll activities within the construction, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or specialty contracting industries.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Process weekly payroll accurately and on schedule for hourly and salaried employees
• Review approved payroll data received from field operations for completeness and accuracy
• Validate earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefits, and labor allocations
• Process payroll adjustments, corrections, and off-cycle payrolls as needed
• Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation
• Respond to employee and management payroll inquiries

Payroll Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour regulations
• Support year-end payroll processing and reporting requirements
• Maintain confidentiality and security of payroll information

Payroll Auditing & Reconciliation

• Audit approved payroll records prior to payroll processing
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and exceptions
• Reconcile payroll reports and identify trends requiring correction

Certified Payroll Compliance

• Support payroll administration for prevailing wage and government-funded projects
• Prepare and submit certified payroll reports, including WH-347 reporting requirements
• Review employee classifications, wage determinations, and fringe benefit calculations
• Assist with Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage compliance activities
• Support contractor, customer, and government agency payroll audits and reporting requests

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Responsibilities may change at any time based on business needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-5 years of payroll processing experience required
• Certified payroll and prevailing wage experience is required
• Experience processing payroll through ADP Workforce Now or comparable enterprise payroll systems required. ADP Workforce Now experience strongly preferred
• Experience processing multi-state payroll in a high-volume environment

Core Competencies

• Payroll processing expertise
• Payroll compliance knowledge
• Certified payroll and prevailing wage knowledge
• Proficiency in accounting software, payroll software, and MS Office Suite
• Payroll auditing and reconciliation
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Communication and collaboration in a team environment
• Confidentiality and professionalism

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment supporting multiple operating companies across various states and business lines. The Payroll Specialist regularly collaborates with employees, field operations, project management, Human Resources, and leadership teams to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to manage competing priorities, and a commitment to meeting critical payroll deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, and customer service. The position is office-based in Brentwood, TN with a weekly schedule allowing for one remote day per week.

ABOUT ASCENSION PROPERTY SERVICES

Ascension Property Services (APS) is a leading provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) construction, service, and maintenance solutions serving commercial, industrial, and multifamily customers across the United States. Through a growing portfolio of highly respected operating companies and more than 1,500 employees, APS combines the strength and resources of a national platform with the local expertise, relationships, and craftsmanship that drive exceptional customer service. From preconstruction and project delivery to ongoing maintenance, repair, retrofit, and facility support, APS is committed to building lasting partnerships, developing exceptional talent, and creating opportunities for growth while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit of its operating companies.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.