Payroll Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled Payroll Specialist to join our team at Creative Financial Staffing. As a Payroll Specialist, you will be responsible for processing weekly and bi-weekly multi-site payroll, including validation of employee changes, garnishments, benefit elections, taxes, and submission of positive pay.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generate and review payroll reports to ensure accuracy and completeness of payroll, earnings statement, and deductions; identifies and resolves discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including withholding taxes, garnishments, and other deductions.
• Review and verify timekeeping records and work with department managers to resolve discrepancies.
• Review and processing of wage garnishments, tax, and direct deposit forms changes.
• Issue paychecks or pay cards for termination and resignation in accordance with state-specific requirements, ensuring compliance and timeliness of payment due.
• Act as a liaison between company and federal, state, and local tax agencies.
• Calculate and remit payroll taxes, including Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, and other payroll-related taxes.
• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and ensure proper reporting on W-2s, 1099s, and other tax documents.
• Stay updated on changes in payroll tax regulations and implement necessary adjustments in payroll processing.
• Communicate changes in payroll policies and tax regulations to employees as needed.
• Prepare all monthly, quarterly, and annual year-end tax and payroll reports.
• Reconcile payroll accounts in the General Ledger, identifying and resolving discrepancies between payroll records and GL balances.
• Assist in the month-end and year-end close processes by providing payroll data and reports.
• Collaborate with the accounting team to ensure that payroll expenses are accurately reflected in financial statements.
• Generate detailed payroll reports for management and finance, including variance analysis and trend reporting.
• Keep current on payroll system functionality and wage and hour laws.
• Assist with payroll support projects such as annual audits, unemployment claims inquiries, and employee data requests (such as Employment Verifications).
• Administer all aspects of the 401K Plan.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field required.
• 3-5 plus years of hands-on experience with payroll processing, time keeping, and HRIS software; preferably UltiPro or Kronos payroll software.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work with sensitive data and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Self-motivated and ability to work well within a fast-paced environment.
• Solid Excel skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.