Payroll Specialist II

TalentBridge; Florham Park (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentBridge is seeking a Payroll Specialist II to handle accurate, compliant payroll for a multi-office, project-based workforce. You will process biweekly cycles, manage overtime, PTO, bonuses, per diem, and ensure data integrity across time, payroll, and project costs in collaboration with HR, Accounting, and project teams.

The role emphasizes audits, tax compliance, and reporting, including W-2 preparation, payroll tax deposits, and year-end tasks.

Qualifications

• Experience handling biweekly payroll cycles and related calculations.
• Knowledge of state wage and tax requirements preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and data integrity.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll for biweekly cycles including regular hours, overtime, and other earnings.
• Validate timesheet and project data before cutoffs and follow up on issues.
• Handle new hires, terminations, and rate changes in compliance with state rules.
• Apply deductions per plan terms and complete pre-/post-payroll audits.
• Resolve off-cycle payments and multi-state withholding.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconcile to the general ledger, and support year-end filings.
• Support payroll-related inquiries from employees and managers.

Skills

Payroll processing

Data accuracy

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

The Payroll Specialist II processes accurate, compliant, on-time payroll for biweekly pay cycles and resolves non [1] standard payroll issues without close supervision. The role owns day-to-day payroll accuracy, identifies and fixes process gaps, and provides basic analysis of payroll data. This role supports employees and managers across a multi-office, project-based workforce and works with HR, Accounting, and project teams to keep time, pay, and project cost data aligned.

Payroll Processing

• Process payroll for assigned pay cycles, including regular and overtime hours, PTO, bonuses, per diem, and other earnings.
• Validate timesheet and project charge code data before each cutoff. Follow up on missing, late, or inconsistent entries.
• Process new hires, terminations, rate and status changes, and final pay in line with state requirements.
• Apply benefit, retirement, and involuntary deductions, including garnishments, child support orders, and levies, per the order or plan terms.
• Complete pre-payroll and post-payroll audits. Resolve variances before release and document corrections.
• Process off-cycle payments, retro pay, and corrections, and handle multi-state employee withholding.

Compliance and Reporting

• Apply federal, state, and local wage, hour, and tax requirements to payroll transactions.
• Reconcile payroll tax deposits and support quarterly and year-end filings, including W-2 preparation, with the payroll provider and Accounting.
• Work with federal, state, and local tax authorities to register and close payroll tax accounts, and keep tax codes and jurisdiction setup current in the payroll system.
• Verify that workers' compensation class codes are set up correctly for each state and assigned to the right employees and job functions in the payroll system.
• Reconcile payroll registers to the general ledger and support month-end close.
• Support certified payroll and prevailing wage reporting on federal and public-sector projects, where applicable.
• Respond to wage verifications, unemployment claims, and audit requests. Maintain payroll records to retention requirements.

Process Improvement and Analysis

• Identify recurring errors, late inputs, and manual workarounds. Recommend and implement fixes to procedures, templates, and system settings.
• Perform basic analysis of payroll data, such as overtime trends, error rates, and labor cost variances, and report findings to the Payroll Manager.
• Maintain written desk procedures and the payroll calendar.
• Test tax table updates, system releases, and year-end processes before go-live.
• Employee and Stakeholder Support

“ TalentBridge employees are eligible for many benefit offerings such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short term disability, 401(k) and holiday pay!”