Payroll Specialist

Cetera Financial Group; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Cetera Financial Group is seeking a Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for about 3,000 multistate employees. You will handle inquiries, maintain data accuracy, process updates, and support audits and system changes.

This role emphasizes attention to detail, customer service, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience with payroll tickets or HR operations is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for payroll inquiries from employees and managers.
• Respond to questions regarding paychecks, taxes, deductions, and earnings statements.
• Manage payroll ticketing system and resolve issues within established SLAs.
• Process employee updates including direct deposits, W-4 changes, tax withholding updates, address changes, and basic pay changes.
• Audit employee data for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with retro pay calculations and payroll corrections.
• Monitor daily timecard activity and follow up to system discrepancies.
• Assist Senior Payroll Specialist with pre-payroll audits, validations, and reconciliations.
• Support bonus and variable compensation processing by preparing files, validating inputs, and assisting with imports.
• Assist with off-cycle check requests and payment corrections as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation of payroll changes and approvals.
• Support payroll audit initiatives by providing requested information and reports.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and federal/state/local regulations.
• Assist with data cleanup and validation during system changes or acquisitions.
• Participate in testing activities for system enhancements and updates.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Time management

Tools

Basic Excel formulas

Job description

Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll for approximately 3,000 multistate employees. This role performs a variety of payroll support functions that may include time & attendance (T&A) review, absence administration, employee inquiry resolution, payroll data updates, and routine payroll corrections.

Job Description

Employee Support (Primary Focus)

• Serve as first point of contact for payroll inquiries from employees and managers.
• Respond to questions regarding paychecks, taxes, deductions, and earnings statements.
• Manage payroll ticketing system and resolve issues within established SLAs.

Payroll Data Administration

• Process employee updates including direct deposits, W-4 changes, tax withholding updates, address changes, and basic pay changes.
• Audit employee data for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with retro pay calculations and payroll corrections.
• Monitor daily timecard activity and follow up to system discrepancies

Payroll Processing Support

• Assist Senior Payroll Specialist with pre-payroll audits, validations, and reconciliations.
• Support bonus and variable compensation processing by preparing files, validating inputs, and assisting with imports.
• Assist with off-cycle check requests and payment corrections as needed.

Compliance & Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate documentation of payroll changes and approvals.
• Support payroll audit initiatives by providing requested information and reports.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and federal/state/local regulations.

Project & M&A Support

• Assist with data cleanup and validation during system changes or acquisitions.
• Participate in testing activities for system enhancements and updates.

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred

• Experience with basic excel formulas
• Exposure to payroll, timekeeping, or HR operations
• Knowledge of multistate wage and tax rules
• Prior payroll experience
• Prior experience handling payroll tickets or employee inquiries

Core Competencies

• Customer focus
• Detail orientation
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Data accuracy
• Team collaboration