Payroll Specialist

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY•Montgomery, NY

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for collecting, verifying, and processing payroll data to ensure accurate and timely payroll operations. This role includes resolving timekeeping discrepancies, maintaining payroll records, and collaborating closely with Human Resources to ensure all employee changes are accurately reflected prior to payroll processing. The Payroll Specialist must have experience working with pre- and post-payroll reports, including timecard exception reports, payroll registers, and labor distribution reports, and be able to resolve complex payroll issues efficiently.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Minimum of three years of payroll processing experience with increasing responsibility
Strong knowledge of payroll processes, including data entry, pay calculations, tax withholdings, benefits administration, wage and hour laws, and geographic tax regulations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to quickly learn payroll systems
Excellent organizational skills
Attention to detail
Strong communication abilities
Capacity to generate reports and analyze payroll data effectively

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in a related field
Experience working with third-party payroll vendors
Experience working with HRIS systems

Responsibilities

Enter, maintain, and process payroll information including wages, salaries, bonuses, time worked, paid leave, deductions, and employee changes.
Ensure accurate processing of payroll deductions including taxes, benefits, and other withholdings.
Audit and reconcile timecards, resolving discrepancies prior to payroll processing.
Maintain and audit payroll master files and transactions for accuracy and compliance.
Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll and HR-related matters.
Assist new hires with HRIS onboarding and payroll applications.
Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure employee changes (new hires, separations, updates) are accurately processed.
Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and monthly bank statements.
Prepare and review payroll reports such as payroll registers, statistical summaries, and labor distribution reports.
Reconcile benefit invoices and assist in funding payroll-related deductions.
Record and process federal and state payroll tax deposits.
Ensure compliance with payroll laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
Process garnishments, status changes, and other payroll-related documentation.
Research and resolve complex payroll and timekeeping issues.
Gather and analyze data to identify and address discrepancies or problems.
Prepare audit reports and escalate issues such as overpayments and recoveries.
Issue or reissue physical or replacement checks or direct deposits as needed.
Update spreadsheets and maintain accurate payroll records.
Support the Benefit Leave and Payroll Manager with additional duties as assigned.
Work independently and collaboratively with internal teams.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.
Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.