Payroll Specialist

Montgomery County, PA; Norristown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Montgomery County is seeking an experienced payroll specialist to process bi-weekly payroll and ensure accurate deductions and timely deposits. The role maintains comprehensive payroll records, handles direct deposits, and issues manual payroll checks when needed.

You will investigate rejected deposits, manage garnishments, and ensure compliance with federal and state payroll regulations. Strong ADP familiarity and Excel skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years of payroll experience.
• Knowledge of ADP payroll systems and garnishment processing.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in payroll records.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll and ensure accurate deductions and timely deposits.
• Maintain payroll records and documentation for tax withholds and changes.
• Handle direct deposits, manual checks, and corrections for urgent pay issues.
• Investigate rejected deposits and NOC reports, reissuing payments as needed.
• Manage garnishments and communicate with agencies to remit payments timely.
• Assist with W-4 changes, local tax withholdings, and employee self-service updates.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with clarity and professionalism.
• Support payroll accounting with accrual questions and funding reports.

Skills

Payroll processing

Attention to detail

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum of 3 years payroll experience

Tools

ADP payroll

Payroll software

Garnishment processing

Job description

Summary

Responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll and ensuring the timely and accurate entry of all payroll deductions. Maintains comprehensive payroll records and associated files, including documentation required for the proper distribution of deductions to applicable payees. This role supports the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of payroll operations.

• Collect and maintain banking information for direct deposit setup, initiate payroll deposits on paydays, and create manual banking entries for urgent pay corrections, including issuance of manual payroll checks.
• Investigate and resolve rejected deposits and NOC (Notice of Change) reports, including reissuing payments and ensuring accurate employee banking information.
• Process and monitor garnishment orders and other payroll-impacting actions, maintain relationships with garnishing agencies, and prepare and remit payments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain and document all payroll records, including managing electronic files for Federal W-4 changes, direct deposit updates, and other payroll-related documentation.
• Conduct periodic audits of payroll records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and resolve issues related to uncollected payroll, including research, reconciliation, and corrective action.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues, tax withholdings, deductions, and related concerns.
• Process and manage the full lifecycle of leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-mandated paid leave, disability, Federal military and personal leave. Evaluate medical documentation, track eligibility and leave duration.
• Review and approve employee self-service changes, including direct deposit updates and W-4 withholding elections, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Work with employees to ensure proper setup and accuracy of local tax withholdings, including EIT and LST deductions.
• Assist employees with payroll system access, including portal navigation and password resets, to support efficient use of self-service tools.
• Prepare and reissue payroll documentation, including W-2 forms and paystubs, and complete payroll-related employment verification requests.
• Support payroll accounting functions by assisting with accrual questions, preparing funding reports, and coordinating payroll-related financial documentation.
• Create and process third-party wire transfers and intra-county transfers related to payroll and benefit obligations.
• Provide first-level support and guidance to department managers on payroll policies, procedures, and compliance requirements, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Summary

Responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll and ensuring the timely and accurate entry of all payroll deductions. Maintains comprehensive payroll records and associated files, including documentation required for the proper distribution of deductions to applicable payees. This role supports the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of payroll operations.

• Collect and maintain banking information for direct deposit setup, initiate payroll deposits on paydays, and create manual banking entries for urgent pay corrections, including issuance of manual payroll checks.
• Investigate and resolve rejected deposits and NOC (Notice of Change) reports, including reissuing payments and ensuring accurate employee banking information.
• Process and monitor garnishment orders and other payroll-impacting actions, maintain relationships with garnishing agencies, and prepare and remit payments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain and document all payroll records, including managing electronic files for Federal W-4 changes, direct deposit updates, and other payroll-related documentation.
• Conduct periodic audits of payroll records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and resolve issues related to uncollected payroll, including research, reconciliation, and corrective action.
• Respond promptly and professionally to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues, tax withholdings, deductions, and related concerns.
• Process and manage the full lifecycle of leaves of absence, including FMLA, state-mandated paid leave, disability, Federal military and personal leave. Evaluate medical documentation, track eligibility and leave duration.
• Review and approve employee self-service changes, including direct deposit updates and W-4 withholding elections, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Work with employees to ensure proper setup and accuracy of local tax withholdings, including EIT and LST deductions.
• Assist employees with payroll system access, including portal navigation and password resets, to support efficient use of self-service tools.
• Prepare and reissue payroll documentation, including W-2 forms and paystubs, and complete payroll-related employment verification requests.
• Support payroll accounting functions by assisting with accrual questions, preparing funding reports, and coordinating payroll-related financial documentation.
• Create and process third-party wire transfers and intra-county transfers related to payroll and benefit obligations.
• Provide first-level support and guidance to department managers on payroll policies, procedures, and compliance requirements, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years payroll experience.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Prior experience and knowledge of ADP.

Competencies, Skills And Other Experience

• Knowledge of payroll systems and procedures, including processing, deductions, and compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of federal wage and hour regulations, including a basic understanding of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines.
• Working knowledge of garnishment laws and payroll-related obligations, including proper handling and administration.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, evaluate information, and implement appropriate solutions.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of payroll processing and recordkeeping.
• Ability to learn and effectively operate computer systems and payroll programs.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams; and the ability to adapt to new software, systems and technology tools as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; see; talk and hear.
• Significant and repeated use of a keyboard.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EOE

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.