Payroll Specialist

Vaco by Highspring; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 34,440 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

A payroll services company based in Massachusetts seeks a Payroll Specialist for a temporary/contract position focused on accurate payroll operations. The role involves monitoring time entries, verifying hours worked, and resolving discrepancies, requiring strong experience with ADP systems and compliance knowledge. Ideal candidates will have previous payroll or timekeeping experience, excellent attention to detail, and strong communication skills. This opportunity is integral to the management of payroll for an hourly workforce.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a payroll or timekeeping role, preferably in distribution or logistics.
• Hands-on experience with ADP (time and attendance and/or payroll modules).
• Strong understanding of hourly payroll and wage-and-hour compliance.
• High attention to detail and ability to resolve discrepancies.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally in HR.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily time and attendance entries for accuracy.
• Review timesheets and clock-in/clock-out data.
• Identify and correct missing punches.
• Partner with management to resolve timekeeping discrepancies.
• Prepare and finalize timekeeping data for payroll processing.
• Assist with payroll audits and reporting.

Skills

Previous experience in payroll or timekeeping

Hands-on experience with ADP

Strong understanding of hourly payroll and compliance

High attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently

Tools

ADP

Job description

Payroll Specialist

This role is a temporary/contract position supporting accurate and timely payroll operations for an hourly workforce. Key responsibilities include time collection, review, and payroll preparation using ADP, in collaboration with supervisors, managers, HR, and corporate payroll teams.

Base pay range

$25.00/hr – $28.00/hr

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor daily time and attendance entries for accuracy and completeness.
• Review employee timesheets, clock‑in/clock‑out data, and schedule variances.
• Identify and correct missing punches, incorrect job codes, and unapproved overtime.
• Ensure all time entries comply with company policies, wage and hour regulations, and distribution operations requirements.
• Partner with supervisors and managers to obtain approvals and resolve timekeeping discrepancies.
• Communicate with employees regarding timekeeping questions, corrections, and clarifications.
• Provide guidance on timekeeping procedures, ADP system use, and policy requirements.
• Prepare, validate and finalize timekeeping data for payroll processing.
• Verify hours worked, PTO usage, shift differentials, and premium pay.
• Submit accurate and approved time records to corporate payroll within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate and organized timekeeping and payroll records.
• Assist with payroll audits, reporting, and system updates as needed.
• Support HR and Payroll teams with timekeeping‑related inquiries and compliance checks.

Qualifications / Must‑Haves

• Previous experience in a payroll or timekeeping role, preferably supporting a distribution, logistics, or warehouse environment.
• Hands‑on experience with ADP (time and attendance and/or payroll modules).
• Strong understanding of hourly payroll, overtime, and wage‑and‑hour compliance.
• High attention to detail and ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally with operations and HR.
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.