Payroll Specialist

Power Services Group•Downers Grove, IL

32d

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing for employees, including those covered by union contracts or collective bargaining agreements. In addition to strong payroll knowledge and processing proficiency, this role requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively navigate and work across multiple software platforms.

Requirements

Minimum of three years of payroll processing experience.
Multi-state payroll experience required.
Hands-on experience working with payroll and timekeeping systems.
Experience processing payroll deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefits, and other payroll-related transactions.
Strong understanding of payroll processes and applicable wage and hour requirements.
Strong reconciliation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy while working within payroll deadlines.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive employee information appropriately.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively across Human Resources, Finance, operations, and other business functions.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience processing payroll for a unionized workforce.
Experience interpreting and administering payroll provisions contained within collective bargaining agreements.
Experience with Paylocity strongly preferred.
Experience with ADP, Paychex, or similar payroll platforms.
Experience supporting payroll audits, reconciliations, tax filings, and year-end payroll activities.

Responsibilities

Process payroll for union and non-union employees, including regular wages, overtime, bonuses, incentive compensation, and applicable statutory and voluntary deductions.
Review timekeeping outputs, timesheets, and employee time records for accuracy and compliance with company policies and applicable union requirements.
Ensure the payroll system accurately calculates and withholds applicable deductions, including taxes, union dues, benefit plan contributions, garnishments, and other deductions required by collective bargaining agreements or applicable regulations.
Review payroll registers, reconciliation reports, funding reports, and statutory filings for accuracy prior to submission.
Maintain accurate, organized, and confidential payroll records, including employee information, wage changes, deduction elections, and payroll adjustments.
Serve as a point of contact for payroll-related questions and issues, researching discrepancies and ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
Assist with payroll tax filings, garnishments, benefit deductions, and other statutory payroll requirements.
Partner cross-functionally with Human Resources on employee lifecycle changes, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, transfers, and benefit-related changes.
Coordinate with Finance, Human Resources, operations, and other internal stakeholders to resolve payroll discrepancies and ensure accurate payroll processing.
Support payroll reconciliations, audits, year-end activities, and other payroll reporting requirements.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll and help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, wage and hour laws, labor requirements, and reporting obligations.
Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee and payroll information.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, accuracy, and efficiency.