Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter; Maple Lake (MN); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our Maple Lake, MN team on a contract-to-hire basis. You will administer the electronic timekeeping system, enter payroll data, reconcile payroll, and process weekly payroll for multiple entities.

This role requires solid Excel skills, experience with federal/state payroll taxes, and the ability to respond to inquiries while ensuring accuracy and compliance across multi-state payroll.

Qualifications

• At least 1+ years of hands-on payroll experience.
• Experience administering and maintaining electronic timekeeping systems.
• Proficiency entering and managing data in payroll databases.
• Ability to reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate payroll reports.
• Experience processing weekly payroll cycles for multiple entities or units.
• Knowledge of calculating federal/state/local taxes, Social Security, 401(k) transfers, direct deposits, child support, wage assignments, garnishments.
• Ability to respond professionally to inquiries and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Experience performing GL balance reviews and payroll reconciliations.
• Skill in preparing payroll-related journal entries.
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and VLOOKUP.
• Ability to work with multi-state payroll requirements and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain the electronic timekeeping system for accurate hours captured.
• Enter and update employee and payroll data in databases and software.
• Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate reports for accuracy.
• Process weekly payroll for multiple companies and ensure timely completion.
• Prepare manual checks or ACH payments to resolve exceptions.
• Generate and submit payroll reports for prevailing wage projects as required.
• Compile and report monthly hours, wages, and payments to unions.
• Enter and validate tax information and deductions (federal/state/local, Social Security, 401(k), garnishments).
• Respond to inquiries, explain procedures, and resolve discrepancies.
• Investigate complex payroll issues and implement solutions.
• Perform GL balance reviews and post payroll-related journal entries.
• Collaborate with payroll and accounting teams to support accurate financials.
• Utilize Excel extensively for data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping systems

Data entry

Tax calculations

Customer service

Multi-state payroll

Analytical thinking

Tools

Excel

Payroll software

Job description

Job Title: Payroll Specialist

• Administer and maintain the electronic timekeeping system to ensure accurate capture of employee hours.
• Enter and update employee and payroll data in payroll and administrative databases and software programs.
• Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate confirmed payroll reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Process weekly payroll for multiple companies and ensure all payroll cycles are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepare and process manual checks or ACH payments when necessary to resolve exceptions or special cases.
• Generate, review, and submit certified payroll reports for prevailing wage projects in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Compile and report monthly hours, wages, and payments to various unions, ensuring compliance with union agreements.
• Determine payroll liabilities by entering and validating federal, state, and local income tax information, social security, 401(k) transfers, direct deposits, child support orders, wage assignments, and garnishments.
• Respond to inquiries from internal and external customers, answer questions, provide documents, explain procedures, interpret policies, and resolve discrepancies.
• Handle complex payroll problems as they arise, investigating issues and implementing appropriate solutions.
• Perform account balance reviews and reconcile the general ledger related to payroll transactions.
• Prepare and post journal entries associated with payroll activity to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Collaborate closely with the payroll team and broader accounting team to support accurate project and corporate financials.
• Use Excel extensively, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions, to analyze payroll data and prepare reports.

Essential Skills

• At least 1+ years of hands-on payroll experience.
• Experience administering and maintaining electronic timekeeping systems.
• Proficiency in entering and managing data in payroll and administrative databases.
• Ability to reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate payroll reports.
• Experience processing weekly payroll cycles for multiple entities or business units.
• Knowledge of calculating and entering federal, state, and local income tax, social security, 401(k) transfers, direct deposits, child support, wage assignments, and garnishments.
• Ability to respond professionally to internal and external customer inquiries and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Experience performing account balance reviews and reconciling general ledger accounts related to payroll.
• Skill in preparing and posting payroll-related journal entries.
• Advanced Excel skills, including demonstrated ability to use pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions.
• Ability to work with multi-state payroll requirements and regulations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Maple Lake, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&DD for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Maple Lake,MN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry‑leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.