POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist is responsible for the oversight of company payroll processing and corporate time and attendance. The Senior Payroll & Accounting Specialist will oversee the payroll process in the Kronos HRIS system and will ensure accurate calculation of wages, tax withholdings, and company benefit deductions. This position will prepare and manage statistical reports and recurring compliance reporting.
Required Skills
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Process payroll for both exempt and non-exempt employees on a weekly and bi-monthly schedule.
- Reconcile payroll in Kronos system prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports.
- Responsible for monthly journal entries and account reconciliations in the payroll and finance systems.
- Compile and review data for census reporting.
- Manage proper tax treatment and processing requirements for wages and employer paid benefits.
- Establish and manage the process for direct deposit processing of payroll checks and payments.
- Process various types of garnishments to ensure proper calculations and compliance.
- Receive and document any necessary approvals prior to processing any non-standard payments.
- Oversee the quarterly 941 tax return, VEC quarterly tax report, and other mandatory reporting.
- Process accurate and timely year-end reporting (W-2, W-2c, etc.)
- Work with the finance team to calculate and update accruals in the finance system.
- Partner with Human Resources to ensure accurate benefit deductions and processing.
- Update and reconcile statements from benefit vendors and reconcile accurately.
- Monitor changes and updates on legal, regulatory, or governmental requirements (e.g., wage and hour, garnishments, tax matters, 401(k) and other benefit deductions)
- Oversee time and attendance system setup and time reporting; performing audits as needed.
- Oversee the payroll processing for work allocation to the costs centers as reconciled with the finance system.
- Manage problem resolution on paycheck issues.
Required Experience
REQUIREMENTS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Knowledgeable in general accounting practices and standard accounting principles
- Excellent professional communication and demeanor required, including confidentiality measures.
- Knowledgeable in payroll practices and policies
- Ability to multitask, support projects, and meet deadlines while keeping a solution focused mindset.
- Must demonstrate a sense of urgency and ownership to drive projects to completion.
- Must be a positive minded individual with problem solving ability.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred with Associates Degree and/or relevant experience considered.
- 3 years of payroll processing experience in a multi-state system preferred.
- Ability to maintain data with a high level of confidentiality.
- Awareness of Federal and State employment law as it impacts area of responsibility.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow through skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and results-oriented environment.
- Excellent computer skills essential for success in this role. Must have advanced knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office products.
- Experience using a payroll processing system (Kronos) preferred.
_THIS IS A NON-EXEMPT, FULL-TIME POSITION – _NOTHING IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION RESTRICTS MANAGEMENT’S RIGHT TO ASSIGN OR REASSIGN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES TO THIS POSITION AT ANY TIME.