Senior Payroll Administrator

PrideStaff Financial; Portsmouth (RI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PrideStaff Financial is seeking an experienced Payroll Leader to own the weekly payroll process and partner with HR and Accounting. The role emphasizes accuracy, deadlines, and process improvement.

You will manage end-to-end payroll, including multi-state processing, tax withholdings, and reconciliations, while collaborating across teams to ensure compliant, timely pay for all employees. CPP certification is welcome but not required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Experience with multi-state payroll.
• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.
• Experience with a payroll/HRIS platform such as Paylocity or a similar system.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements and payroll compliance.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, reporting or audit support.
• The ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to stay organized and accurate while working against firm payroll deadlines.
• CPP certification is welcomed but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the weekly payroll process from start to finish.
• Review timekeeping and attendance information for accuracy.
• Calculate regular and overtime wages, bonuses, commissions, and other earnings.
• Manage payroll deductions including taxes, benefits, garnishments and withholdings.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records and HRIS data.
• Support quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Prepare payroll reports, reconciliations and analyses for HR and Accounting.
• Support audits and resolve payroll discrepancies or questions.
• Partner with HR on hires, terminations, promotions, transfers, and compensation changes.
• Collaborate with Accounting to ensure payroll expenses and journal entries are accurate.

Skills

Payroll processing experience

Multi-state payroll

Excel

Education

Associate degree in Accounting/Finance/HR/Business Administration

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Payroll Leader to take ownership of weekly payroll while becoming an important partner to both the HR and Accounting teams.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys the detail and structure of payroll but also wants a role with visibility, collaboration and the opportunity to improve how things are done.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll manage the weekly payroll process from start to finish, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time and in compliance with applicable regulations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing timekeeping and attendance information for accuracy
• Calculating regular and overtime wages, bonuses, commissions, shift differentials and other earnings
• Managing payroll deductions including taxes, benefits, garnishments and other withholdings
• Maintaining accurate employee payroll records and HRIS data
• Handling payroll tax reporting and required remittances
• Supporting quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation
• Preparing payroll reports, reconciliations and analysis for HR and Accounting
• Supporting internal and external payroll audits
• Researching and resolving payroll discrepancies or employee questions
• Partnering with HR on new hires, terminations, promotions, transfers and compensation changes
• Working closely with Accounting to ensure payroll expenses, liabilities and journal entries are recorded accurately
• Supporting payroll account reconciliations and financial reporting
• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve payroll operations
• Supporting payroll integration activities as the organization continues to grow

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is highly accurate, dependable and comfortable owning a deadline-driven process.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience
• Experience processing multi-state payroll
• An associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field
• Experience with a payroll/HRIS platform such as Paylocity or a similar system
• Strong understanding of payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements and payroll compliance
• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills
• Experience with payroll reconciliations, reporting or audit support
• The ability to manage confidential information with discretion
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• The ability to stay organized and accurate while working against firm payroll deadlines

Experience supporting payroll through acquisitions, integrations or organizational growth is a plus. CPP certification is also welcomed but not required.