Payroll Specialist

Acrisure; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Acrisure, a global Fintech leader, seeks a Payroll Associate to support timely and compliant payroll processing across multiple entities. You will serve as the main payroll contact for designated units, ensuring accurate inputs and data integrity, while upholding internal controls in a fast-paced environment.

You will handle full-cycle payroll, respond to inquiries via ServiceNow, and assist with year-end activities.

Qualifications

• Experience in multi-state payroll processing or high-volume payroll environments.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven attention to detail and accuracy in transactional work.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll cycles and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (data validation, formulas, reconciliation).

Responsibilities

• Process assigned payrolls across frequencies and entities for designated employee populations.
• Serve as primary payroll contact for assigned units and partners, ensuring timely resolution of needs.
• Validate hours, earnings, deductions, tax elections, and adjustments for accuracy and compliance.
• Perform full-cycle payroll activities including regular runs, off-cycle payments, and corrections.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies within defined parameters; escalate when needed.
• Maintain payroll records and data integrity across HRIS/Payroll systems.

Skills

Payroll processing

Customer service

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Confidential information handling

Excel proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Workday

ADP

UKG

Job description

About Acrisure

A global Fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of ambitious businesses and individuals with the right solutions to grow boldly forward. Bringing cutting-edge technology and top-tier human support together, we connect clients with customized solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity, mortgage services – and more.

Job Description

A global Fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of ambitious businesses and individuals with the right solutions to grow boldly forward. Bringing cutting-edge technology and top-tier human support together, we connect clients with customized solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity, mortgage services – and more.

Job Summary

Acrisure is seeking a Payroll Associate in Grand Rapids, MI to support the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll across a defined employee population and set of business units. This role operates with responsibility for assigned payrolls, ensuring precision, compliance, and high-quality employee experience. The Payroll Associate performs full-cycle payroll processing activities within established guidelines, manages payroll data integrity, and serves as a key point of contact for payroll inquiries within their assigned scope. The role requires strong ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume multi-entity environment.

Responsibilities

Payroll Administration & Processing

• Independently process assigned payrolls across multiple frequencies and entities for a designated employee population
• Serve as the primary payroll contact for assigned business units, divisions, and/or agency partners, ensuring timely resolution of payroll-related needs
• Compile, review, and validate payroll inputs including hours, earnings, deductions, tax elections, and adjustments for accuracy and compliance
• Perform full-cycle payroll activities including regular payroll runs, off-cycle payments, and corrections within defined thresholds
• Research and resolve routine-to-moderately complex payroll discrepancies and issues, escalating when outside of established parameters
• Maintain accurate payroll records and system data ensuring data integrity across the HRIS/Payroll platforms
• Process recurring commission payments in accordance with established plans and payroll schedules.
• Validate commission data and partner with Finance and business leaders, to resolve discrepancies prior to payroll processing.

Payroll Data Management & Compliance

• Ensure payroll transactions comply with federal, state, and local regulations as well as internal policies and controls
• Execute payroll audits and reconciliations for assigned payrolls, identifying and resolve payroll variances within established parameters
• Support year-end activities including W-2 validation, reporting, and audit preparation for assigned scope
• Maintain documentation and payroll records in accordance with retention requirements and audit standards.

Reporting/Timekeeping

• Preparation and distribution of standard payroll reports
• Maintenance/validation of employee time records or timekeeping data
• Support for timekeeping corrections prior to payroll processing.

Employee & Stakeholder Support

• Respond to payroll inquiries via ServiceNow and other channels for assigned employee groups, providing accurate and timely resolution
• Deliver a high level of customer service while interpreting and explaining payroll policies, procedures, and pay outcomes
• Escalate complex, high-risk, or policy-sensitive issues as appropriate
• Maintain clear and complete documentation of all inquiries, actions taken, and resolutions.

Operational Execution

• Follow established payroll procedures and internal controls with a strong adherence to accuracy and deadlines
• Monitor payroll cycles for assigned populations to ensure timely execution and minimal errors
• Identify recurring issues or inefficiencies and communicate observations to Payroll leadership
• Participate in training and cross-function learning to reinforce payroll expertise and system proficiency.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with multi-state payroll processing or high-volume payroll environments
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills
• Proven attention to detail and accuracy in transactional work
• Ability to manage multiple payroll cycle and deadline simultaneously
• Experience working with confidential and sensitive information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (data validation, formulas, and reconciliation support)

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with payroll system (Workday, ADP, UKG, or similar)
• Experience supporting multi-entity payroll structures or complex payroll inputs
• Experience with fully cycle and high volume payroll processing (~3,000 employees)
• Exposure to payroll compliance, audits, and reporting activities
• Experience in centralized payroll function supporting distributed business units.

Education and Experience

Required Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years of payroll, HR, accounting, finance, or related operational experience
• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field

Pay Details

The base compensation range for this position is $30 - $33. This range reflects Acrisure's good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Placement within the range will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity.

Why Join Us

At Acrisure, we’re building more than a business, we’re building a community where people can grow, thrive, and make an impact. Our benefits are designed to support every dimension of your life, from your health and finances to your family and future.

Making a lasting impact on the communities it serves, Acrisure has pledged more than $22 million through its partnerships with Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York.

Employee Benefits

• Physical Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; fertility benefits; wellness resources; and paid sick time.
• Mental Wellness: Generous paid time off and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and a complimentary Calm app subscription.
• Financial Wellness: Immediate vesting in a 401(k) plan; Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options; commuter benefits; and employee discount programs.
• Family Care: Paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave (including for adoptive parents); legal plan options; and pet insurance coverage.
• … and so much more!

This list is not exhaustive of all available benefits. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply to certain offerings. Benefits may vary based on subsidiary entity and geographic location.

Acrisure is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation by contacting [e-mail].

Final candidates will be required to complete post-offer verification processes related to the role and in accordance with applicable laws.

California Residents

Learn more about our privacy practices for applicants by visiting the Acrisure California Applicant Privacy Policy.

Recruitment Fraud

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Welcome, your new opportunity awaits you.