Payroll Specialist

VIKING GROUP•Caledonia, IL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely weekly payroll processing, garnishment administration, and maintaining employee data within the HRIS system. The role ensures compliance with applicable payroll regulations, maintains data integrity and security, and works closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to support payroll operations and continuous process improvement. The position manages full-cycle payroll and garnishment administration, audits and reconciles timesheets, processes payroll adjustments and tax deposits, and responds to employee inquiries. It also administers payroll and HRIS data, safeguards sensitive employee and banking information, maintains employee records, and conducts HR audits.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a closely related field.
Three to five years of comprehensive payroll experience.
Multi-state payroll processing experience, including knowledge of varying state payroll regulations, tax withholding requirements, and wage and hour laws.
Proven experience in data management.
Strong knowledge of payroll preparation, balancing, employee data accuracy, internal financial controls, and reporting requirements supporting tax compliance.
Solid understanding of garnishment regulations, including rules, priorities, and maximum withholding limits for multiple concurrent garnishment orders.
Strong data literacy, mathematical abilities, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.
Advanced proficiency with modern HRIS and payroll software and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Paycom.

Responsibilities

Manage full-cycle weekly payroll processing, including employee data, approved timecards, commissions, bonuses, hours worked, and paid leave.
Administer court-ordered withholdings, child support, tax levies, and creditor garnishments, ensuring accurate calculation, deduction, and timely remittance.
Audit and reconcile employee timesheets against schedules to verify regular hours, overtime, and leave balances before payroll processing.
Coordinate payroll adjustments, calculate final pay upon termination in accordance with state regulations, and issue replacement or physical checks to correct errors.
Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to inquiries received through the Payroll/HRIS inbox in partnership with HR.
Record and process federal, state, and local payroll tax deposits by regulatory deadlines.
Collaborate with internal departments, including Finance, and external vendors such as Fidelity on timely reporting and compliance.
Implement, maintain, and audit payroll systems to ensure data accuracy, integrity, security, and appropriate access controls.
Enter and maintain employee information in the HRIS, including new hires, terminations, benefit deductions, tax withholdings, and other employee changes.
Identify, test, and recommend HRIS updates, system integrations, and process improvements to increase automation and operational efficiency.
Establish and maintain secure data-handling procedures to protect employee PII and corporate banking information.
Maintain employee records, including pay and employment status changes, attendance, corrective actions, unemployment, and employment verifications.
Conduct regular HR audits to ensure accurate and complete employee data entry.