Payroll Specialist (Contract-to-Hire)

Royal Vopak • Deer Park, TX

2d

About The Position

This contract-to-hire position is responsible for ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, and that the accounting functions resulting from payroll payments are completed properly. The Payroll Specialist processes payroll and complex expatriate packages across multiple U.S., Canadian, and joint-venture entities; manages regulatory compliance, tax deposits, statutory filings, and year-end tax documentation; and handles payroll accounting, reporting, reconciliations, and audit support. The role also administers payroll systems, manages relationships with external payroll vendors, resolves employee pay inquiries, and collaborates across payroll, HR, and accounting. The position generally works in an office environment, with occasional short-term visits to industrial settings and possible travel. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States; the company will not sponsor immigration or work visas.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or equivalent hands-on experience in payroll processing.
• At least 5 years of accounting or payroll experience, including expertise with expatriate packages.
• Deep understanding of payroll regulations, including FLSA, FICA, FUTA, ACA, and federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws.
• Understanding of accounting principles and standards, including GAAP, IFRS, FASB, and SOX.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and data reconciliation.
• Proficiency with major accounting and payroll systems such as Workday, Oracle, and ADP, as well as standard office software.
• Strong analytical abilities and a solid grasp of financial management concepts.
• Excellent English communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask, manage different data formats, and consistently meet tight deadlines in high-stress environments.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; the company will not sponsor immigration or work visas.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree.
• Preferred background in international business, auditing, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of the petroleum, petrochemical, and chemical industries.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely payroll and complex expatriate packages across multiple U.S., Canadian, and joint-venture entities.
• Manage tax deposits, statutory filings, and multi-state and multi-country year-end tax documentation to support regulatory compliance.
• Execute journal entries, monthly payroll accruals, and complex reconciliations, and support internal and third-party audits.
• Generate standard and custom reports, including earnings, headcount, and benefits reports, and support the annual compensation budgeting process.
• Administer the payroll system, including technical troubleshooting, upgrades, and implementations.
• Act as the main liaison for external payroll vendors, review contracts, and verify billing accuracy.
• Investigate and resolve pay discrepancies and respond promptly to payroll inquiries from employees, management, and external parties.
• Collaborate in cross-functional meetings to align payroll, HR, and accounting initiatives.
• Perform other related duties assigned by management within the generally expected scope of the position.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level