Senior Payroll Specialist

MERSINO DEWATERING INCORPORATED; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ironclad powered by Mersino is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to own the end-to-end payroll for a multi-state, multi-location workforce across operating entities. You will ensure accurate weekly payroll, maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and union requirements, and serve as the subject matter expert on payroll systems and controls.

You will collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations to allocate labor, perform year-end activities such as W-2 processing, and drive process

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business admin, or HR preferred.
• Minimum five years of payroll experience, including multi-state.
• Experience with union and prevailing wage payroll required or preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage end-to-end payroll for a multi-state workforce.
• Ensure weekly payroll processing complies with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review payroll data including time, earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefits for accuracy.
• Lead year-end activities including W-2 processing and reconciliation.
• Maintain payroll records and data integrity across entities.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations for labor allocation and coding practices.
• Support payroll audits and develop documentation and controls.

Skills

Multi-state payroll experience

Union payroll experience

Prevailing wage / certified payroll

Payroll systems (Paycom / ADP)

Attention to detail & compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting / finance / business administration / HR

Tools

Paycom

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

About UsIRONCLAD powered by Mersino is a national provider of liquid storage, dewatering, and environmental rental solutions serving the energy, industrial, petrochemical, and construction markets. Formed through the merger of Ironclad Environmental and Mersino Dewatering, the combined company operates a multi-branch network across Texas, Louisiana, California, the Upper Midwest, and other key industrial regions, delivering rental fleet, engineered water management, and liquid containment solutions to customers who depend on uptime, safety, and technical expertise.About the RoleThe Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for the full ownership and administration of payroll operations for a complex, multi-state, multi-company organization. This role oversees the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, union, prevailing wage, and certified payroll requirements.The Senior Payroll Specialist serves as the organization’s subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll compliance, payroll systems, and payroll controls. This position works closely with the Financial & Compensation Analyst and other HR and Finance stakeholders to support labor reporting, compensation administration, budgeting, reconciliations, and organizational analytics. The Senior Payroll Specialist will also lead continuous improvement initiatives, drive payroll process standardization across the combined organization, and ensure operational excellence through strong analytical capabilities, system expertise, and proactive problem solving.What You'll DoPayroll Operations & OwnershipOwn and manage the end-to-end payroll process for a multi-state and multi-location workforce across multiple operating entitiesEnsure accurate and timely weekly payroll processing in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulationsProcess Year-End checklist activities within PaycomReview payroll data including time records, earnings, deductions, taxes, union calculations, and benefit deductions for accuracy and completenessServe as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues and resolutionMaintain payroll records and ensure integrity of employee payroll dataOversee payroll-related year-end activities including W-2 processing and reconciliationEnsure payroll processing deadlines are consistently met while maintaining high levels of accuracy and servicePartner with HR, Finance, and Operations to ensure accurate labor allocation and payroll coding practicesCompliance, Auditing & Risk ManagementEnsure compliance with payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, prevailing wage requirements, union agreements, and certified payroll obligationsManage payroll tax jurisdiction setup and ongoing maintenanceUpload weekly 401(k) reports and ensure timely fundingSupport payroll-related audits including: 401(k) / 5500 audits, workers compensation audits, insurance premium true-ups, union audits, certified payroll audits, external financial auditsPerform payroll reconciliations and balancing activities including quarterly and year-end reconciliation processesDevelop and maintain payroll controls, audit procedures, and documentation standardsMonitor regulatory changes and implement process updates to maintain complianceCoordinate with external payroll vendors, tax agencies, benefit providers, and auditors as neededSystems, Process Improvement & IntegrationMaintain and optimize payroll systems and integrations, ensuring efficient and accurate payroll operationsLead payroll process improvement initiatives focused on automation, standardization, scalability, and operational efficiencyPartner with HR, Finance, and IT to support payroll integrations, acquisitions, and organizational transitionsAssist in the harmonization and standardization of payroll practices across the combined organizationDevelop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, workflows, and internal documentationIdentify opportunities to improve payroll reporting, controls, and operational efficiencies through technology and process enhancementsReporting & AnalyticsDevelop payroll metrics, scorecards, and KPI reporting for leadershipAnalyze payroll trends including overtime, labor burden, union costs, payroll variances, and compliance risksSupport Finance with payroll reporting, labor allocations, accruals, and general ledger reconciliationProvide payroll-related analysis and recommendations to support operational and business decisionsPartner with the Financial & Compensation Analyst on labor reporting, workforce analytics, and compensation-related data requestsSpecialized Payroll AdministrationPerform prevailing wage calculations and certified payroll reportingCoordinate OCIP/CCIP payroll-related enrollment and reporting requirementsSupport multi-state tax registration and payroll tax compliance activitiesSupport payroll requirements related to acquisitions, integrations, and organizational growth initiativesOther duties as assigned in support of the operationWhat You'll BringQualificationsBachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferredMinimum of five (5) years of payroll experience, including experience leading complex payroll operationsExperience supporting multi-state, multi-location payroll environmentsExperience with union payroll, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and construction industry payroll practices strongly preferredExperience with payroll systems such as Paycom, ADP Workforce Now, or similar HRIS/payroll platformsStrong desire for Paycom experience from end to end processingCPP certification preferred but not requiredIronclad Powered by Mersino is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, we provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.