Senior Payroll Specialist

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; Prior Lake (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Talentify is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist in Minnesota to manage end-to-end payroll for SMSC and Tribal Operations. You will maintain payroll records, perform reconciliations, and stay compliant with payroll laws and regulations while collaborating with Finance, HRIS, Benefits, and HR Business Partners.

You will process weekly payroll for Tribal Operations, handle deductions, and support year-end activities like W-2s, ensuring accurate GL entries and timely responses to team questions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 4+ years of payroll experience.
• Working knowledge of payroll regulations and tax compliance.
• Ability to analyze payroll data and resolve discrepancies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience with UKG/HCM systems.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly payroll accurately for all team members.
• Manage deductions including benefits and retirement contributions.
• Keep payroll records up-to-date and compliant.
• Perform reconciliations, audits, and adjustments as needed.
• Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Support year-end processes (W-2s) and GL entries.

Skills

Excel

UKG experience

HCM system

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Tools

UKG software

Job description

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000

Job Summary

The Senior Payroll Specialist will be responsible for managing the end-to-end payroll process for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and its Tribal Operations enterprises and departments. This position will be responsible for maintaining payroll records and documentation, as well as performing reconciliation, audits, and adjustments when necessary. Also, this role is responsible for staying current on the latest payroll laws, regulations, policies, and best practices to ensure compliance.
The Senior Payroll Specialist must work cohesively across multiple businesses and partner with Finance, HRIS, Benefits, Compensation, Talent Acquisition, and HR Business Partners.

Primary Job Duties

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of weekly payroll for all Tribal Operations team members.
• Process team member deductions including benefits, retirement contributions, and garnishment.
• Utilize UKG software to process and manage payroll activities efficiently.
• Stay updated on UKG release system enhancements to execute payroll processing.
• Review and verify timesheet records for accuracy and compliance with organization practice.
• Stay current with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Track and calculate PTO accruals and related payouts according to SMSC policies.
• Process final pay and PTO payouts for team member terminations.
• Assist with year-end processes, including W-2 preparations and reconciliation.
• Collaborate with Finance on accurate general ledger entries.
• Investigate and resolve issues including reconciliation, over-payments, taxation, and adjustments.
• Respond to team members’ payroll questions in a timely manner and with confidentiality.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and HR Business Partners on employment life cycle changes (e.g., new hires, terminations, base salary changes).
• Process compensation adjustments.
• Maintain confidential records, files, and internal documentation to support accurate tracking, reporting, and compliance.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing payroll documentation and reports.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Reflects MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, CERTIFICATION and EXPERIENCE required to meet the expectations of this job:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 4+ years of payroll experience.
• Working knowledge of payroll regulations and tax compliance.
• Ability to analyze payroll data and resolve discrepancies.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain a high level of
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) Suite; strong Excel experience
• Experience working with HCM system; UKG system experience
• Strongcommunication(verbalandwritten)andinterpersonal
• Independent judgment and excellent customer service and follow-through
• Ability to take initiative, act proactively, and solve problems.
• Organized and high level of attention to detail with strong administrative and documentation
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities effectively, make good decisions based on departmental priorities and processing deadlines.

Ability to interpret and apply internal policies and procedures and to communicate them accurately to others.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.