Payroll Specialist
$58,000–$70,000 year
On-siteEnglewood, Colorado, United States
Job Summary
Process semi-monthly, multi-state payrolls for 500+ employees with absolute accuracy, managing withholdings, benefits deductions, and garnishments while ensuring strict compliance with federal, state, and local wage laws. Act as the primary liaison with the payroll system provider to dictate functional requirements, define pay rules, map data flows, and set up complex tax jurisdictions. Serve as the trusted subject-matter expert for all payroll inquiries, patiently troubleshooting escalated issues and guiding HR, managers, and employees with a solutions-first mindset. Conduct rigorous audits of payroll systems and employee data, manage out-of-state tax accounts, and execute critical year-end activities including W-2 preparation and reconciliations. Collaborate with HR to ensure onboarding and terminations are accurately reflected and prepare complex reports for accounting audits.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent work experience
- 3 or more years of high-volume, multi-state payroll experience
- Experience with payroll software, such as: ADP Workforce Now, Paychex Plex, QuickBooks Payroll, UKG Pro, Workday
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis)
- Experience with HRIS and timekeeping systems
- Knowledge of direct deposit, wage garnishments, tax withholding, and benefits deductions
- Federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations
- Wage and hour laws, including overtime rules
- Payroll reporting requirements
- Recordkeeping and confidentiality standards
- Year-end processes such as issuing tax forms
- Proficiency with Google Workspace applications (Mail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Meet)
- Deadline-Driven Precision: The organizational ability to seamlessly manage multiple competing priorities, consistently meet strict payroll deadlines, and maintain the highest level of confidentiality with sensitive data
- Customer-Centric Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, paired with a strong customer-service approach to resolving employee payroll concerns clearly, professionally, and empathetically
- Collaborative Partnership: Strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively at all organizational levels, including seamless collaboration with Human Resources and external payroll service providers to deliver unified solutions
- Proactive Problem-Solving: A demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex issues, navigate challenges independently, and confidently lead process improvement initiatives
Desired Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration
- American Payroll Association's: Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
- American Payroll Association's: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- 5 years of high-volume, multi-state payroll experience in an organization of 500+ employees
- Experience with UKG Pro and WFM
- Experience with system implementations or configurations
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