Senior Payroll Specialist II

AHRC Nassau; Town of Oyster Bay (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a detail-oriented Sr Payroll Specialist II to join their Accounting Department. This role is pivotal in ensuring the timely and accurate processing of employee wages while maintaining compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to payroll best practices. You will collaborate closely with various departments, audit payroll data, and support continuous improvements in payroll processing through technology. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in payroll processing and compliance.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely processing of employee wages and compliance.
• Audit timesheets and payroll data for accuracy.

Skills

Microsoft Office

MS Excel

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Associate Degree

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

UKG Pro

ADP

Kronos

Job description

Overview

The Sr Payroll Specialist II is an important member of the Accounting Department with responsibilities for ensuring timely and accurate processing and payment of employee wages, and overall regulatory and organizational compliance for AHRC Nassau and its Affiliates.

The Sr Payroll Specialist II operates under the guidance of the Payroll Manager. As a team player with excellent communication, analytical, proficient computer skills, and must be pro-active keeping up-to-date with Payroll best practices, rules and regulatory compliance. These skills are required to effectively perform wage and tax compliance processing.

In addition, the position will support the continuous evaluation of payroll processing to transform the department through increased use of technology, assisting in the development of policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Primary duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

Payroll Cycles and Year End Reporting

• Ensure clear communication with program staff and other departments for timely review, completion and approvals of timecards and change of status forms, where applicable.
• Audit manual and electronic timesheets via the UKG (WFM) time and attendance system before importing to the (UKG- Ultipro) payroll database for wage processing.
• Ensure overtime and supplemental payments are accurately calculated and allocated.
• Responsible for processing 3rd party sick pay, car-allowance adjustments, quarterly or year-end adjustments for Form W-2 reporting and distribution, and other adjustments on an as needed basis.
• Generate/support the review of the Pre and Post pay cycle required reporting; including but not limited to payroll registers, employee deduction summaries and tax reconciliations.
• Review the accuracy of employees’ PTO benefits in accordance with the agency policy before payouts.
• Review and reconcile employees’ pay data; on Leave of Absence, Paid Family Leave, and Suspension status for accurate payment and accrual updates.
• Timely research, resolve, and communicate employee wage inquiries and identify areas for improvement.
• Review reports to support the final payroll transmission to ADP for print services.
• Prepare off-cycle payrolls and manual checks as necessary.

Internal/External Compliance Audits/reporting

• Ensure compliance with changes to Federal, State, and Local DOL, FLSA, and IRS legislative regulations.
• Generate UKG reporting requirements for payroll auditing and employee verifications inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with correspondence regarding garnishments, tax agency notices and internal/external audits.
• Prepare and provide post cycle and periodic Adhoc payroll reports to audit requests and the Accounting or other Departments as required.

Systems & Processes:

• Work with the Assistant Payroll Manager to review departmental workflow to refine and organize areas for process improvements.
• Work with the payroll processing vendor, UKG, to open cases to solve business needs.
• Support and assist with training on UKG systems for payroll and internal payroll policies and processes.

Qualifications

Education and/ or experience required:

• Associate degree plus 3-yrs’ relevant experience OR
• High School Diploma / GED equivalent plus 5-years relevant experience
• Considered a Plus:
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification track
  • Kronos, UKG Pro, ADP

Skills, Licenses and/ or competencies required:

• Proficient knowledge/ skills in Microsoft Office, excellent proficiency in MS Excel.
• Professional written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills – ability to communicate with operating management, staff, and other departments.
• Strong professional work ethic, excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and sensitive to confidential data and documents.