Payroll Specialist

Drummond Woodsum; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Drummond Woodsum seeks a part-time Payroll Specialist to manage payroll for ~200 employees across eight states in a hybrid Portland, Maine setting. The role requires accuracy, discretion, and the ability to independently run full payroll cycles with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities include processing regular and off-cycle payrolls, reviewing timekeeping, deductions, and tax withholdings, reconciling 401(k), HSA, and FSA contributions, and ensuring compliance across multi-state requirements

Qualifications

• At least five years of hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently processing multi-state payroll.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements and year-end reporting.
• Experience processing and reconciling retirement plan deductions, HSA and FSA deductions.
• Strong technology skills with payroll/HRIS platforms and Excel.
• Experience with BambooHR preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently process regular, off-cycle, and final payrolls in accordance with firm policy and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Review and validate timekeeping records, compensation changes, reimbursements, deductions, taxes, and other payroll inputs.
• Review payroll registers and supporting reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, including earnings, taxes, deductions, contributions, adjustments, and supporting documentation.
• Process payroll corrections and adjustments accurately and promptly.
• Maintain accurate federal, state, and local tax withholding information for employees working across multiple states.
• Process, fund, and reconcile 401(k) deferrals, Roth and catch-up contributions, loan repayments, and applicable employer contributions.
• Process, fund, and reconcile employee and employer HSA contributions and employee FSA deductions.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between payroll records, internal systems, and vendor reports.
• Coordinate quarter-end and year-end payroll processing, including reviewing payroll tax filings and Forms W-2 for accuracy.
• Provide payroll and contribution records for internal and external audits, retirement plan testing, and other compliance requirements.
• Respond to employee questions regarding pay, deductions, and payroll records.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

Excel

Discretion & confidentiality

Communication

Analytical skills

Tools

HRIS platforms

BambooHR

Vendor portals

Job description

Part-Time Payroll Specialist

Drummond Woodsum is seeking an experienced part-time Payroll Specialist to manage payroll for approximately 200 employees working across eight states. We are looking for someone with strong payroll knowledge who can independently manage the complete payroll cycle with accuracy, sound judgment, and a high level of discretion.

The Payroll Specialist will work closely with Human Resources, Finance, and third-party vendors in a digital-first environment. In addition to processing payroll, this position will be responsible for processing, funding, and reconciling 401(k), HSA, and FSA contributions and identifying opportunities to strengthen payroll processes and controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently process regular, off-cycle, and final payrolls in accordance with firm policy and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Review and validate timekeeping records, compensation changes, reimbursements, deductions, taxes, and other payroll inputs.
• Review payroll registers and supporting reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, including earnings, taxes, deductions, contributions, adjustments, and supporting documentation.
• Process payroll corrections and adjustments accurately and promptly.
• Maintain accurate federal, state, and local tax withholding information for employees working across multiple states.
• Process, submit, fund, and reconcile 401(k) deferrals, Roth and catch-up contributions, loan repayments, and applicable employer contributions.
• Process, fund, and reconcile employee and employer HSA contributions and employee FSA deductions.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between payroll records, internal systems, and vendor reports.
• Coordinate quarter-end and year-end payroll processing, including reviewing payroll tax filings and Forms W-2 for accuracy.
• Provide payroll and contribution records for internal and external audits, retirement plan testing, and other compliance requirements.
• Respond to employee questions regarding pay, deductions, and payroll records.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality when handling employee compensation, personal information, and firm financial data.

Qualifications

• At least five years of hands‑on payroll processing experience
• Demonstrated experience independently processing multi‑state payroll.
• Experience processing payroll for an organization of comparable size and complexity preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll requirements, wage and hour laws, payroll taxation, and year‑end reporting.
• Experience processing and reconciling retirement plan deductions, loan repayments, HSA contributions, and FSA deductions preferred.
• Strong technology skills, including proficiency with payroll and HRIS platforms, vendor portals, electronic file transfers, and Microsoft Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and navigate new systems, troubleshoot data and system issues, and adapt to changes in technology and payroll processes.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage recurring, deadline‑driven responsibilities independently.
• Clear and professional communication skills.
• Sound judgment and professional discretion when handling highly confidential information.
• Experience with BambooHR preferred.

Position Details

• Approximately 20–25 hours per week
• Hybrid work in Portland Maine
• Wage Range: $27.85-$38.97
• Placement within the range will be based on directly relevant payroll experience, including the scope and complexity of prior payroll responsibilities

• As this position is expected to work fewer than 30 hours per week, it is not eligible for the firm’s health and welfare benefits.