Payroll Specialist

AAI; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AAI, a growing construction company, is seeking a Payroll Specialist to own payroll from start to finish and to integrate payroll activity with the general ledger and project cost coding.

You will collaborate with HR, project managers, and field leadership, ensuring accuracy across multiple jobs and classifications. This role demands strong attention to detail and timely processing within a dynamic accounting team.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of certified payroll and prevailing-wage requirements in a construction environment.
• Experience processing payroll with multiple pay rates, job classifications, locations, deductions, and overtime.
• Degree in accounting/finance or related field; payroll or accounting role in construction preferred.
• Experience with union payroll, fringe-benefit remittances, and certified payroll submissions.
• Experience with Foundation construction accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll accurately and on time for field and office employees with various pay elements.
• Review timecards with employees, supervisors, PMs, and HR to correct issues before finalizing payroll.
• Maintain payroll records, tax elections, and direct-deposit information.
• Post payroll journal entries and allocations to the general ledger each pay period.
• Reconcile payroll-related accounts and ensure labor costs are properly coded to jobs.
• Support month-end and year-end close with payroll-related schedules and reconciliations.
• Assist with audits and provide backup for other accounting functions.

Skills

Payroll processing

General ledger

Job costing

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Time management

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Construction payroll experience

Union payroll & certified payroll

Foundation accounting software

Tools

Foundation construction accounting software

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

** About the Role:** We are a growing construction company looking for a Payroll Specialist to join our Accounting team. This role owns payroll from start to finish, but it goes beyond just running payroll. You will be part of the accounting side of the business, recording payroll to the general ledger, reconciling payroll accounts, making sure labor costs land on the right jobs, and helping the team close the books each month. Our crews work across multiple projects, pay rates, and classifications, including certified payroll and prevailing-wage jobs, so accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

While this position sits in Accounting and reports to the Controller, you will work closely with other departments every week. You will partner with Human Resources on new hires, changes, and employee questions, with project managers and field leadership on timecards and job coding, and with operations to keep information flowing smoothly. This is a great fit for someone who enjoys numbers, likes being the go-to resource for payroll questions, and wants to keep building their accounting skills with a team that is growing.

** CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES:**

Payroll Processing:

• Process payroll accurately and on time for field and office employees, including time entries, pay rates, job and cost codes, work classifications, deductions, garnishments, PTO, and adjustments.
• Review timecards for accuracy and work with employees, supervisors, project managers, and Human Resources to correct issues before payroll is finalized.
• Calculate regular wages, overtime, weighted overtime, bonuses, travel or drive-time pay, per diem, and other earnings in line with company policy and applicable law.
• Set up new hires, process final pay, and maintain accurate employee payroll records, tax elections, and direct-deposit information.

Payroll Accounting & General Ledger:

• Prepare and post payroll journal entries, accruals, and allocations to the general ledger each pay period.
• Make sure labor costs are coded and allocated correctly to jobs, cost codes, and departments to support accurate job costing.
• Reconcile payroll clearing, payroll tax, benefit, garnishment, and union-related liability accounts and resolve variances.
• Reconcile payroll registers to bank funding and tax deposits, and coordinate payroll funding with the Accounting team.

Accounting Department Support:

• Support month-end and year-end close by preparing payroll-related schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and reconcile union fringe-benefit, retirement plan, and insurance remittance reports, and support related payments.
• Assist with workers’ compensation and general liability insurance audits, financial audits, and other information requests.
• Provide backup support for other accounting functions, such as accounts payable, as needed.
• Help maintain written payroll procedures, calendars, and internal controls that support accuracy and audit readiness.

Certified Payroll & Prevailing-Wage Compliance:

• Review project requirements to identify federal, state, and local prevailing-wage obligations, wage determinations, worker classifications, and reporting deadlines.
• Prepare, submit, and retain accurate certified payroll reports, including statements of compliance and supporting documentation.
• Verify employees are classified and paid the correct base wage and fringe amounts, and track cash fringe payments and benefit credits.
• Research and resolve certified payroll discrepancies and respond to agency or contractor inquiries and audits.
• Stay current on the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts and applicable state and local prevailing-wage rules.

Employee Service & Communication:

• Answer employee questions about pay, deductions, taxes, and time entries promptly and professionally.
• Partner with field and office teams to resolve payroll issues and protect confidential employee and company information.

** EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:**

• Working knowledge of certified payroll and prevailing-wage requirements in a construction, contracting, or other project-based environment.
• Experience processing payroll with multiple pay rates, job classifications, work locations, deductions, and overtime calculations.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Payroll or accounting experience in the construction industry, including job-cost accounting.
• Experience with union payroll, fringe-benefit remittances, and federal, state, or local certified payroll submissions.
• Experience with Foundation construction accounting software.

** OTHER REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:**

** Payroll Ownership & Accountability:** Takes full ownership of the payroll cycle and delivers accurate, on-time results.

** Accounting Mindset:** Understands how payroll flows into the general ledger, job costs, and financial statements.

** Accuracy & Quality Control:** Uses careful review and reconciliation to prevent and catch errors.

** Compliance Awareness & Sound Judgment:** Applies certified payroll, prevailing-wage, union, and tax requirements consistently.

** Problem Solving:** Researches discrepancies, finds the root cause, and follows issues through to resolution.

** Confidentiality & Integrity:** Protects confidential employee and company information.

** Clear, Service-Oriented Communication:** Explains payroll information clearly to employees, managers, and field leaders.

** Time Management:** Manages competing priorities and meets payroll and month-end deadlines.

** Collaboration:** Works well with the Accounting team, Human Resources, project management, and field leadership.

Company Description

Company Description

AAI is a growing construction company serving clients through specialized demolition, environmental, and related field services. We take pride in our people, the quality of our work, and the dependable service we provide. Our team works together to deliver safe, well-executed projects while building a company where employees can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.