Payroll Specialist

ARES Corporation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

HSA/FSA Accounts

Life & Disability Insurance

Critical Illness & Accident Insurance

ESOP

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off & Holiday

Job summary

ARES Corporation, a leading space and defense company, seeks a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for 500+ employees across multiple entities. This hybrid role is based out of McLean, VA or Houston, TX and requires 2–3 days in office weekly.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of multi-state payroll experience, ADP Workforce Now proficiency, and strong Excel skills. Government contracting familiarity is a plus.

Qualifications

• 3+ years payroll processing in a multi-state environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll laws and compliance.
• Experience handling payroll for 200+ employees.
• Hands-on ADP Workforce Now experience.
• Proven accuracy and organization skills.

Responsibilities

• Process semi-monthly payroll for 550–600 employees across multiple entities.
• Ensure accurate payroll, including wages, bonuses, deductions, and taxes across states.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Reconcile payroll reports, GL entries, and benefit deductions.
• Coordinate with HR on data changes (hiring, terminations, transfers).
• Coordinate with management to ensure timely timecards for payroll processing.
• Manage garnishments, levies, and other withholdings.
• Support internal and external audits, including DCAA audits as applicable.
• Prepare payroll-related reports for leadership and finance.
• Assist with year-end processing and tax document distribution across jurisdictions.
• Ensure compliance with state applications and filings.
• Oversee payroll-related correspondence at Corporate office by mail.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and best practices.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Analytical skills

Discretion with confidential info

Excel proficiency

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Excel

Cost Point

Job description

ARES is an award-winning space and defense company, providing innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions on-time and within budget to high value-programs. Our clients include the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Missile Defense Agency, Space Force, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. ARES is an 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This path allows us to continue to be an independently-managed company, focused on long-term success with an employee-centered culture. As owners, our employees are deeply invested in the success of our client's mission, creating a collaborative, productive work environment where everyone strives toward a common goal.

We are looking for a detail-oriented and reliable Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for a growing government contracting organization. This individual is responsible for processing payroll for more than 500 employees across multiple entities. under a holding company structure. Our workforce spans over 25 states, requiring strong knowledge of multi-state payroll compliance. The ideal candidate has prior technical payroll expertise, experience working in a multi-state environment, and familiarity with government contracting requirements.

This position will be a hybrid position based out of our McLean, VA headquarters, or Houston, TX office and will require in-office work two to three days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Process our semi-monthly payroll for 550-600 employees across multiple companies/entities
• Ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, including wages, bonuses, deductions, and taxes across multiple states
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including multi-state and union-specific requirements
• Reconcile payroll reports, general ledger entries, and benefit deductions
• Coordinate with HR on employee data changes (new hires, terminations, promotions, multi-state transfers, etc.)
• Coordinate with management team to ensure timely and accurate completion of timecards for payroll processing
• Manage garnishments, levies, and other withholdings
• Support audits (internal and external), including DCAA audits as applicable
• Prepare payroll-related reports for leadership and finance
• Assist with year-end processing, including tax document preparation and distribution across multiple jurisdictions
• Ensure compliance with all state applications and filings
• Oversee and handle all payroll-related correspondence received at the Corporate office by mail
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and ensure best practices

Qualifications

Required:

• At least 3 years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state environment
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, regulations, and compliance requirements
• Experience processing payroll for mid- to large-sized employee populations (200+ employees)
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now payroll platform
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., reconciliations, data analysis)

Preferred:

• Experience processing payroll in a multi-entity environment
• Cost Point Experience Preferred
• Experience in a government contracting environment
• Experience working with union employee payroll processing
• Familiarity with DCAA compliance requirements
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation

Key Competencies:

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Time management and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Effective communication and collaboration
• Customer service mindset when supporting employees, managers, and corporate team

ARES Benefits:

• ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA/FSA Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• ESOP
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid Time Off & Holiday

ARES is an equal opportunity employer and complies with E-Verify. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law. ARES shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a).