Payroll Specialist

Trident Marketing•Southern Pines, NC

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires strong payroll expertise. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, highly confidential, and comfortable working at the intersection of payroll, finance, and employment law.

Requirements

3–5 years of payroll experience , including multi‑state payroll processing
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
High level of confidentiality and ethical judgment
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
Ability to navigate payroll, accounting, and legal requirements effectively
Clear communication and employee‑focused service mindset

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field a plus
Paralegal experience or demonstrated experience handling legal documents, compliance, or regulatory matters.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills
Comfortable in working with AI

Responsibilities

Process multi‑state, bi‑weekly and/or semi‑monthly payroll accurately and on schedule
Ensure correct calculation of wages, bonuses, commissions, overtime, and deductions
Maintain payroll records in compliance with legal and audit requirements
Administer payroll tax withholdings, filings, and reconciliations
Manage payroll changes including new hires, terminations, status changes, and benefits deductions
Coordinate payroll reporting for month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close
Support audits related to payroll, benefits, and labor expenses
Collaborate with Accounting and Finance teams to ensure data integrity
Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion
Educate employees on pay, deductions, and payroll policies
Assist HR with payroll‑related onboarding and offboarding activities