Payroll Specialist

SGS Consulting; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS Consulting in Tallahassee, FL seeks a Payroll Specialist to serve as the Tier 2 escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and investigations. You will analyze data, coordinate corrective actions across departments, and manage full lifecycle of payroll cases from intake to closure.

The role requires 3+ years in payroll processing, CPP preferred, and strong knowledge of SAP ECP, with excellent analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• CPP certification is preferred but not required.
• Minimum 3 years of payroll processing and case management experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and Tier 2 investigations.
• Analyze payroll data, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective actions across departments.
• Manage full lifecycle of payroll cases from intake to closure.
• Maintain accurate records in case management systems in compliance with audits.
• Generate reports on case volume, SLA compliance, trends, and metrics.
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT and others to improve payroll processes.
• Provide training and knowledge-sharing to Tier 1 staff.
• Ensure payroll issues are resolved within service levels.
• Support payroll compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and efficiency projects.

Skills

Payroll principles

Tier 2 payroll

SAP ECP

Excel & Power Query

Payroll tax regs

Analytical problem solving

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Organizational multitasking

Customer service mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Accounting/HR

CPP certification preferred

Tools

SAP ECP

Power Query

Case management systems

Job description

Job Responsibilities:

• Serve as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and Tier 2 case investigations
• Analyze payroll data, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective actions across multiple departments
• Manage the full lifecycle of payroll cases including intake, documentation, investigation, resolution, and closure
• Maintain accurate records within case management systems while ensuring compliance with audit and regulatory requirements
• Generate and analyze reports on case volume, SLA compliance, trends, and issue resolution metrics
• Partner with HR, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders to improve payroll processes and implement preventative controls
• Provide training, guidance, and knowledge-sharing support to Tier 1 payroll staff
• Ensure payroll issues are resolved accurately and within established service levels
• Support payroll compliance activities related to federal and state regulations
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiency projects

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of payroll principles, processes, and payroll administration
• Experience handling Tier 2 payroll cases and complex issue resolution
• Proficiency with payroll systems, including SAP ECP preferred
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Power Query skills
• Understanding of federal and state payroll tax regulations, including FICA, IRS, and state withholding requirements
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain complex payroll issues to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Customer service mindset with a focus on timely and accurate resolution
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 3 years of experience in payroll processing and case management
• At least 1 year of experience handling Tier 2 or advanced payroll issues
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred
• Experience with SAP Employee Central Payroll (ECP) strongly preferred
• Knowledge of payroll compliance regulations and audit requirements