Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter; Washington; Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Commuter benefits

Modern office amenities

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Payroll Specialist for a Seattle-based, architecture and design firm. This hybrid role supports payroll for about 200 employees across multiple states, balancing on-site and remote work.

You will manage monthly and semi-monthly payroll processes, ensure tax compliance (including 941 filings), and collaborate with HR and Finance to maintain accurate payroll records. This Contract-to-Hire opportunity offers growth and stability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience.
• Experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Hands-on experience with Paylocity.
• Payroll tax compliance experience, including 941 filings.
• Experience with Deltek, preferably Deltek Vantagepoint.
• General Ledger experience, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Experience supporting month-end close activities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Experience reviewing and reconciling employee timesheets.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly and semi-monthly payroll for approximately 200 employees.
• Review, approve, and post employee timesheets while ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Partner with Human Resources on employee changes, new hires, terminations, and payroll deductions.
• Execute multiple payroll cycles each month within established deadlines.
• Process and reconcile payroll transactions with a high degree of accuracy.
• Manage payroll tax compliance, including 941 filings and related reporting requirements.
• Ensure timely payroll tax payments, returns, and benefit funding submissions.
• Maintain and support payroll systems, including tax jurisdictions, earning codes, deduction codes, and reporting enhancements.
• Reconcile payroll‑related general ledger accounts and prepare journal entries.
• Assist with month‑end and year‑end close activities.
• Prepare payroll reports, compensation analyses, and financial reporting.
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Finance and HR teams to improve payroll processes and reporting.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

Payroll tax compliance

GL reconciliations

Excel

Month-end close

Journal entries

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or related field

Tools

Paylocity

Deltek

Deltek Vantagepoint

Job description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist | Hybrid Opportunity in Seattle

Love payroll, thrive on accuracy, and want the flexibility of a hybrid schedule? Join a nationally recognized architecture and design firm where your expertise keeps everything running smoothly.

Our client, a highly respected and growing organization in Seattle, is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for approximately 200 employees across multiple states. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional looking to combine technical expertise with career growth in a collaborative, people-focused environment.

Seattle, WA (Hybrid: 2 days onsite, 3 days remote)

$35.00 - $40.00 per hour

Monday and Wednesday onsite | 8:0 AM - 4:30 PM

Standard full-time schedule

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Hybrid work schedule with flexibility and work-life balance

Join a nationally recognized architecture and design organization

Collaborative culture with supportive leadership

Expand your experience across payroll, accounting, compliance, and financial reporting

Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential

Downtown Seattle location with commuter benefits and modern office amenities

What You'll Be Doing

• Process monthly and semi-monthly payroll for approximately 200 employees
• Review, approve, and post employee timesheets while ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance
• Partner with Human Resources on employee changes, new hires, terminations, and payroll deductions
• Execute multiple payroll cycles each month within established deadlines
• Process and reconcile payroll transactions with a high degree of accuracy
• Manage payroll tax compliance, including 941 filings and related reporting requirements
• Ensure timely payroll tax payments, returns, and benefit funding submissions
• Maintain and support payroll systems, including tax jurisdictions, earning codes, deduction codes, and reporting enhancements
• Reconcile payroll‑related general ledger accounts and prepare journal entries
• Assist with month‑end and year‑end close activities
• Prepare payroll reports, compensation analyses, and financial reporting
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with Finance and HR teams to improve payroll processes and reporting

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience
• Experience processing multi-state payroll
• Hands‑on experience with Paylocity
• Payroll tax compliance experience, including 941 filings
• Experience with Deltek, preferably Deltek Vantagepoint
• General Ledger experience, including reconciliations and journal entries
• Experience supporting month-end close activities
• Strong understanding of payroll deductions, benefits administration, and payroll accounting
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Experience reviewing and reconciling employee timesheets
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field
• Experience within Architecture, Engineering, Construction (A/E/C) or other project-based organizations

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working with numbers, processes, and compliance requirements
• Takes pride in delivering accurate payroll every time
• Is comfortable balancing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Communicates effectively with Finance, HR, and employees
• Brings a proactive mindset and a desire to continuously improve processes

Not the Right Fit If...

• You have not processed multi-state payroll
• You do not have Paylocity experience
• You have limited payroll tax or compliance experience
• You have not worked with Deltek or Deltek Vantagepoint
• You have limited GL reconciliation or payroll accounting experience
• You have less than 3 years of payroll processing experience

Ready to take the next step in your payroll career?

Join a respected organization where your expertise makes a direct impact while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid schedule and the potential for long-term career growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Seattle, WA.