Senior Payroll Specialist: Multi-State, High-Volume & Compliance

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Company Paid Life Insurance

Job summary

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage payroll across multiple states in a highly manual environment.

You will audit, process, and validate complex payroll data while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role requires strong Excel skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to handle large volumes of payroll with accuracy. Collaboration with HR, Finance, Operations, and vendors is essential to optimize processes

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including multi-state payroll processing.
• Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and payroll compliance requirements.
• Experience working in a high-volume payroll environment requiring substantial manual review, reconciliation, and data entry.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including reporting, data validation, reconciliations, and analysis.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to payroll accuracy.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a high level of accuracy and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Process biweekly, weekly, semi-monthly, and off-cycle payrolls accurately and on schedule.
• Perform extensive manual payroll processing, calculations, audits, reconciliations, and payroll data validation.
• Review earnings, deductions, garnishments, taxes, benefit deductions, and other payroll transactions for accuracy.
• Validate employee hours, compensation data, shift differentials, payroll adjustments, and special pay items.
• Process payroll corrections, retroactive pay adjustments, supplemental payrolls, and manual checks as needed.
• Conduct detailed payroll audits and reconciliations to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and wage and hour requirements.
• Maintain payroll records, documentation, and audit trails in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Coordinate payroll activities with Human Resources, Finance, Operations, and third-party payroll vendors.
• Review payroll tax notices and assist with payroll tax compliance activities and reporting requirements.
• Support quarterly and annual payroll reporting, including W-2 processing and payroll reconciliations.
• Research and resolve employee payroll questions, discrepancies, and complex payroll issues.
• Assist with payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and process improvements.
• Generate payroll reports, metrics, and analyses for business leaders and stakeholders.
• Train and support employees, managers, and business partners regarding payroll processes and policies.
• Support payroll audits and provide documentation to auditors, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, controls, and employee experience.
• Perform other payroll, accounting, and administrative duties as assigned

Skills

Payroll processing

Data entry

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Excel skills

Education

Accounting/Finance/HR degree

Job description

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc. is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage payroll across multiple states in a highly manual environment.

You will audit, process, and validate complex payroll data while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role requires strong Excel skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to handle large volumes of payroll with accuracy. Collaboration with HR, Finance, Operations, and vendors is essential to optimize processes