Payroll Specialist

Bertelsmann•Morrisville, NC

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist performs accurate and timely payroll processing and related controls while maintaining approved vendor master data in accordance with established review and approval requirements. The role validates payroll inputs and outputs, resolves routine discrepancies, supports reconciliations and compliance activities, and protects confidential employee and payment information. The position partners with Human Resources, Accounting, Tax, employees, and external providers, and escalates non-routine or sensitive matters to the Manager, Payroll & Accounts Payable. The position processes scheduled and off-cycle payrolls; reviews payroll inputs and time records; validates payroll registers, variances, exceptions, tax jurisdictions, and payments; and prepares funding materials for review and approval. It also researches payroll errors, supports vendor record and payment controls, assists with reconciliations, compliance, audits, and year-end reporting, and maintains process and control documentation. Approved automation and AI-enabled tools may be used responsibly, with outputs validated and confidential information protected. This is a flexible hybrid role for candidates who live in North Carolina within commuting distance of the Morrisville headquarters. The employee is expected to work onsite approximately 30 days per quarter.

Requirements

At least 2 years of payroll processing or payroll administration experience, including hands-on responsibility for payroll inputs, calculations, register review, corrections, and records.
Experience with payroll controls, confidential employee data, recurring deadlines, reconciliations, or audit-ready documentation.
Experience researching payroll discrepancies and coordinating resolutions with Human Resources, Accounting, employees, or external providers.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
Knowledge of end-to-end payroll processing, including earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, timekeeping, off-cycle payments, and year-end activity.
Knowledge of payroll controls, confidentiality requirements, documentation standards, approval routing, and segregation of duties.
Skill in reviewing payroll registers, variances, exceptions, funding reports, reconciliations, and supporting records for accuracy and completeness.
Ability to research discrepancies, identify root causes, document corrections, and communicate resolutions clearly to employees and business partners.
Ability to validate vendor master-data requests, tax documentation, sanctions screening, duplicate risks, and banking or remittance changes using approved verification methods.
Proficiency with payroll and timekeeping systems, spreadsheets, and enterprise systems used for payroll, vendor records, reporting, and audit support.
Ability to use approved automation and AI-enabled productivity tools responsibly while validating outputs and protecting confidential information.
Must live in North Carolina within commuting distance of the Morrisville, NC headquarters and work onsite approximately 30 days per quarter.

Nice To Haves

Multi-state payroll and timekeeping experience, including payroll taxes, wage and hour requirements, garnishments, incentive compensation, funding, and year-end activities.
Experience with UKG or a comparable payroll/timekeeping platform and with an ERP or procure-to-pay platform such as Intacct, NetSuite, SAP, or Coupa.
Experience creating and maintaining vendor records and validating tax, sanctions, duplicate, approval, and payment-detail requirements.
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).

Responsibilities

Process scheduled and off-cycle payrolls, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, taxes, commissions, bonuses, and approved adjustments.
Review time records, approved payroll inputs, and HR-provided changes for completeness and payroll impact, and coordinate corrections with the appropriate owner.
Validate payroll registers, variances, exceptions, tax jurisdictions, and payments; confirm approved changes were processed accurately and document review evidence.
Prepare payroll funding, reports, checklists, and supporting records for manager review and final approval while maintaining segregation of duties.
Research payroll errors and returned or outstanding payments, document approved corrections, and confirm resolution in the appropriate payroll cycle.
Respond to routine payroll questions confidentially and escalate sensitive, complex, or policy-based matters.
Create, update, and inactivate vendor records based on approved requests; validate tax documentation, TIN information, sanctions screening, duplicate risks, addresses, payment terms, and required approvals.
Independently verify banking and remittance changes through approved sources and resolve documentation or control gaps before processing.
Support payroll funding and payment reconciliations, period-end records, variance explanations, audit evidence, and general-ledger research.
Support payroll compliance and year-end reporting through data reviews, exception research, corrections, and coordination with HR, Accounting, Tax, auditors, UKG, and other providers.
Maintain current process and control documentation and use approved automation, reporting, and AI-enabled productivity tools responsibly, validating outputs and protecting confidential information.

Benefits

Health and wellness benefits package, including an outstanding 401(k) match.
Flexible PTO program.
Inclusive parental leave policy.
Employer payment of the employee portion of the monthly healthcare premium.
Flexible hybrid work environment with onsite and work-from-home options.
Employee Resource Groups open to all employees.
Comprehensive onboarding program.
Growth and career advancement opportunities, including internal mobility.
Leadership and professional development programs, including Nanodegree options in technology and data science.
Professional development through conference attendance and participation in organizations such as NC Tech.
Onsite coffee shop providing free coffee and pastries.