Senior Payroll Administrator

Prairie Meadows; Altoona (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA is seeking an experienced Senior Payroll Administrator to join our Human Resources team. You will independently manage biweekly payroll for over 1,000 employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

The ideal candidate has seven years of payroll experience, strong knowledge of ADP Workforce Now, and excellent analytical and communication skills. This role offers growth potential to a Payroll Manager and requires meticulous attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, HR, or related field preferred.
• CPP or FPC certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently process biweekly payroll for more than 1,000 employees.
• Review and verify hours, earnings, deductions, taxes, benefits, and garnishments.
• Process payroll adjustments, off-cycle payments, and special payroll transactions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies; respond to employee and management payroll questions.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, reporting, audits, and year-end activities, including W-2 preparation.
• Serve as a key resource for the ADP payroll system, assisting with system updates, testing, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Accounting, Benefits, and other departments to support payroll operations.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to payroll staff while serving as the primary backup to the Payroll & Benefits Manager.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Skills

Payroll processing

ADP Workforce Now

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

Communication skills

Independence

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business/HR

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

Prairie Meadows is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Senior Payroll Administrator to join our Human Resources team. This position plays a key role in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for more than 1,000 employees.

The ideal candidate will have extensive payroll experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. This position also offers an opportunity for professional growth, with the potential to advance into a Payroll Manager role.

• Independently process biweekly payroll for more than 1,000 employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Review and verify employee hours, earnings, deductions, taxes, benefits, garnishments, and other payroll transactions.
• Process payroll adjustments, corrections, off-cycle payments, and special payroll transactions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to employee and management payroll questions.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Complete payroll reconciliations, reporting, audits, and year-end activities, including W-2 preparation.
• Serve as a key resource for the ADP payroll system, assisting with system updates, testing, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Accounting, Benefits, and other departments to support payroll operations.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to payroll staff while serving as the primary backup to the Payroll & Benefits Manager.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls while maintaining strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

High school diploma required; bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field preferred. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including full-cycle payroll processing. Experience processing payroll for a large workforce; experience with 500 or more employees strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, deductions, wage and hour laws, and compliance requirements. Experience with ADP payroll systems, preferably ADP Workforce Now, preferred. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines. Excellent communication skills, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) preferred.