Payroll & Compliance Specialist

Collective/Great States•Fargo, ND

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role will support all three of our organizations: Great States Construction, Great States Development, and Collective, offering a diverse and rewarding opportunity to make a broad impact across construction, real estate development, and property management sectors. The Payroll & Compliance Specialist is a detail-oriented HR professional responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timely execution of payroll and HR/payroll-related compliance functions across multiple entities. This role serves as the primary specialist for payroll operations and employment compliance while supporting leadership with reporting, audits, and regulatory accuracy. The Payroll & Compliance Specialist will report directly to the Human Resources Manager.

Requirements

Associates degree in HR, Accounting, Finance or related field OR equivalent experience
2-5 years of payroll administration experience required including processing payroll for roles with variable compensation (commissions, bonuses, incentives)
Strong knowledge of payroll laws and compliance requirements
High attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality
Proficient in HRIS platforms (BambooHR preferred)
Proficient in Microsoft Excel
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to lift and/or move 20 pounds
Occasionally climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
This position requires regular office hours (8 am – 5pm, M-F) to be maintained along with availability for emergency situations outside of regular office hours.

Nice To Haves

Multi-state payroll experience preferred

Responsibilities

Process bi-weekly and off-cycle payroll accurately and on time
Ensure accurate calculation of wages, overtime, bonuses, reimbursements, deductions, and commissions
Maintain payroll records in compliance with federal and state retention requirements
Coordinate payroll changes related to new hires, terminations, and compensation changes
Reconcile payroll reports and resolve discrepancies
Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll inquiries
Conduct routine payroll audits for accuracy
Generate standard and ad-hoc payroll reports
Partner with accounting on payroll reporting and reconciliations
Ensure timely preparation and distribution of annual W-2’s
Maintain HR compliance across payroll and employment regulations
Ensure compliance with FLSA and applicable state wage and hour laws
Administer garnishments, child support, and tax levies
Support payroll tax filings and audits
Monitor regulatory changes and recommend process updates
Maintain payroll compliance documentation and SOPs
Additional responsibilities as required to support department objectives