Payroll Specialist

Starr Insurance•Atlanta, GA

23d

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate and compliant U.S. payroll operations for approximately 2,000 employees across multiple legal entities and jurisdictions. The role serves as a subject matter expert in payroll processing, tax compliance, reporting, system administration, and employee support, while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. The position processes semi-monthly payroll, administers payroll transactions and garnishments, resolves employee payroll and tax inquiries, prepares recurring and ad hoc reports, reconciles payroll tax reporting, and supports quarterly and year-end activities. It also supports audits, payroll invoices, system implementations and enhancements, unemployment claims administration, and general payroll recordkeeping. Starr describes its culture as entrepreneurial, with accessible leaders, and says it offers training and development opportunities and is committed to an inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 2 years of end-to-end U.S. payroll administration experience, including multi-state and multi-entity payroll processing.
Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, labor laws, and compliance requirements.
Experience managing complex payroll processes involving multiple jurisdictions and legal entities.
Proficiency in Workday Payroll and related Workday modules, including HCM, Benefits, Absence, and Time Tracking.
Experience with ADP SmartCompliance, including tax, wage payment, and garnishment services.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities, with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.

Nice To Haves

Accounting or payroll accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Process semi-monthly payroll for all U.S. legal entities, including regular and off-cycle payrolls, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
Administer payroll transactions including hires, terminations, compensation changes, bonuses, severance, direct deposit setup, tax elections, garnishments, and time and labor processing.
Manage garnishment administration and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Monitor and resolve payroll and tax inquiries from active and former employees through designated channels, providing professional written and verbal support.
Prepare, validate, and distribute recurring monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reports, as well as ad hoc payroll, tax, and workforce reports.
Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies while following established controls, policies, and procedures.
Maintain current documentation and knowledge of U.S. payroll processes, tax requirements, and compliance obligations.
Ensure employees are paid accurately and in compliance with applicable wage and labor laws.
Support setup, maintenance, and reconciliation of federal, state, and local payroll tax accounts.
Reconcile payroll tax reporting after each payroll cycle to ensure employee and employer tax liabilities are accurately recorded in Workday.
Support quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including audit preparation, W-2 processing, regulatory reporting, and benefit limit validations.
Provide backup support for unemployment claims administration and related inquiries.
Process payroll-related invoices through Workday Financials and maintain appropriate documentation and approvals.
Support internal and external audits involving payroll, benefits, and payroll tax compliance.
Assist with employment tax audits by gathering documentation and responding to auditor requests.
Support year-end processing to ensure timely tax year close and accurate distribution of employee tax documents.
Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, enhancements, and testing, including validating calculations, integrations, and reporting functionality.
Perform general payroll administration, maintain payroll records, respond to employee inquiries, and ensure proper document retention and storage.