Payroll Specialist

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is seeking a Senior Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll for all Team Members. The role ensures accuracy, compliance, and timely processing while coordinating with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors.

This position also mentors junior staff and serves as a payroll subject matter expert. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of payroll experience for a large workforce, strong Excel and data integrity skills, and familiarity with ADP and Workday.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience processing payroll
• Payroll for 1,500+ employees preferred
• Strong Excel skills with VLOOKUP, formulas, and pivot tables
• Experience with payroll compliance in the US
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
• Pass background check and drug screen where applicable

Responsibilities

• Independently manages end-to-end payroll processing for all Team Members
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Collaborates with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors
• Prepares manual pay, pay cards, and termination checks
• Maintains payroll records and supports year-end processes (W-2s, 1099s)

Skills

Excel proficiency

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

ADP

Workday

Job description

The Senior Payroll Specialist is responsible for independently managing end-to-end payroll processing for all Team Members while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely execution for Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona (GCNA) and its affiliated entities. This role supports all payroll operations, maintains thorough payroll documentation, and serves as a subject matter expert within the organization. Collaborates closely with HR, Finance, IT, and external vendors, guides less experienced Team Members, and acts as team lead in the absence of the Payroll Manager. This position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong technical expertise, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently manages full-cycle payroll processing for all Team Members, including validation of new hires, terminations, bonuses, and benefit deductions.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and international payroll regulations, wage and hour laws, and tax requirements.
• Prepares manual pay, pay cards, and termination checks using payroll calculation tools.
• Reviews payroll data before and after transmission, ensuring accuracy, proper documentation, and required approvals.
• Processes and maintains detailed records of all court-ordered wage garnishments, child support orders, and tax levies.
• Supports year-end processes including W-2s, and 1099s.
• Works closely with HR and IT to ensure payroll systems accurately reflect benefit deductions, accrual changes, HRIS updates, timekeeping updates, and tax changes.
• Coordinates with external payroll vendors to ensure accuracy and timely delivery.
• Informs management of payroll issues impacting financial reporting and organizational planning.
• Researches and resolves payroll inquiries from Team Members, supervisors, and stakeholders.
• Maintains accurate payroll records and generates reports for audits, compliance reviews, and internal stakeholders.
• Prepares and maintains all supporting documentation for manual payroll entries.
• Assists with transmitting accurate payrolls by reviewing previews, exception reports, and manual batches.
• Prepares special reports and handles special projects as assigned by management.
• Maintains payroll-related reports in pre-established, easy-to-access formats.
• Trains, mentors, and reviews work of less experienced Payroll Specialists, especially during onboarding.
• Serves as team lead in the absence of the Payroll Manager and handle escalated payroll issues.
• Stays current on payroll and benefits tax laws across all applicable states.
• Model Goodwill Core Values including Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Maintains regular and consistent in-person attendance.
• Models Goodwill Core Values – Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Must have 5+ years’ experience processing payroll for 1,500+ employees.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. payroll regulations and wage & hour laws.
• Experience using MS Office Suite, including strong Excel skills using VLOOKUP, formulas, and pivot tables.
• Strong proficiency using ADP required, experience with Workday preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with integrity.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, good organizational skills and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to speak and read English proficiently.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen, where applicable for position.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.