Payroll Specialist

McDermott Will & Schulte LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte LLP is seeking a Payroll Specialist in New York to handle accurate and timely payroll for attorneys and business professionals using Workday Payroll. You will validate calculations, resolve discrepancies, and support day-to-day payroll operations with minimal supervision.

The ideal candidate has at least three years of payroll experience, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with multi-state regulations.

Qualifications

• At least three years of experience processing payroll, including hands-on Workday experience.
• Experience processing payroll for a multi-state workforce preferred.
• Experience in a law firm or professional services environment preferred.
• Strong Excel and MS Office proficiency.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Process attorney and business professional payrolls in Workday accurately and timely.
• Review payroll calculations, deductions, taxes, and related data for accuracy.
• Reconcile payroll data across HR, timekeeping, and benefits systems.
• Investigate discrepancies and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Prepare payroll reports, journal entries, and GL reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable wage and hour laws and internal controls.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with confidentiality.
• Collaborate with HR, Accounting, and stakeholders to optimize processes.
• Document payroll procedures to support continuity and knowledge sharing.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll using Workday and AI tools.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Learning agility

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Workday Payroll

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

With us, you’ll find: A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity - we encourage you to be yourself! Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We're smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive. Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance. Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of the firm's attorney and business professional payrolls. This position leverages Workday Payroll to execute payroll processes, validate results, resolve discrepancies, and support day-to-day payroll operations. Working under minimal supervision, the Payroll Specialist exercises sound judgment, takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, and proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and maximize the use of available technology.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Prepare, process, and audit assigned attorney and business professional payrolls in Workday, ensuring accurate and timely processing in accordance with established guidelines
• Independently review and validate payroll calculations and results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and other payroll-related information
• Review and reconcile payroll data across HR, timekeeping, benefits, and other data sources to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and processing errors, exercising sound judgment and escalating complex issues as appropriate
• Prepare and review routine payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation to meet operational, compliance, and stakeholder needs
• Prepare routine payroll journal entries, validate payroll expense coding, and reconcile payroll-related data to support accurate general ledger (GL) reporting
• Ensure payroll processing and recordkeeping comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and internal controls
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and complete earnings verification requests in accordance with established procedures and confidentiality requirements
• Collaborate with HR, Accounting, and other stakeholders to resolve issues, coordinate payroll-related activities, and support effective service delivery
• Maintain accurate payroll procedures, process documentation, checklists, and reference materials to support consistency, knowledge sharing, and operational continuity
• Proactively identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy and efficiency by fully leveraging available Workday functionality and emerging technologies like AI

Job Specifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
• At least three (3) years of experience processing payroll, including hands-on experience in a Workday environment
• Experience processing payroll for a multi-state workforce preferred
• Experience working within a law firm or other professional services environment preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency navigating Workday Payroll, including reviewing payroll calculations, validating payroll results, investigating discrepancies, and utilizing payroll reports
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, including earnings, deductions, tax withholding, payroll calculations, and reconciliations
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate discrepancies, interpret payroll data, and resolve routine processing issues
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, data integrity, and quality of work
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to independently manage assigned responsibilities, prioritize competing deadlines, and proactively drive work to completion
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to respond effectively to employee inquiries and collaborate across departments
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new technologies, adapt to changing processes, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $72,000 - $85,000. Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

#LI-Hybrid #LI-EF1 Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds. Work Environment: Typical indoor office environment.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.