Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter•Appleton, WI

8d•$24 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist processes and administers weekly payroll for approximately 800 hourly and salaried employees across multiple states. The role is responsible for accurate, timely payroll processing, maintaining employee payroll records, supporting benefit-related deductions, and ensuring compliance with payroll regulations, with particular attention to California requirements. The specialist works closely with Accounting, Human Resources, Operations, employees, and other internal stakeholders to resolve payroll issues, prepare reports, support integrations, and perform related accounting and administrative tasks. This is a contract-to-hire position based fully onsite in Appleton, Wisconsin. It operates in a professional, collaborative office environment and uses payroll software, timekeeping systems, and Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel. Payroll runs weekly and requires consistent attention to deadlines and accuracy. A long-term permanent role may be available based on performance and business needs.

Requirements

13 years of payroll, accounting, or related administrative experience.
Experience processing multi-state payroll.
Experience supporting payroll for a mid-sized to large employee population, such as several hundred employees.
Experience handling payroll for both hourly and salaried workers.
Strong understanding of payroll regulations and compliance requirements.
High attention to detail and accuracy when working with numerical data and employee records.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with employees and internal teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including strong Microsoft Excel skills.
Ability to reconcile payroll data and perform basic payroll accounting tasks.
Ability to perform accurate data entry and review payroll information.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with weekly payroll cycles.

Nice To Haves

Experience processing California payroll.
Experience with UKG payroll software.
Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
Experience administering pay cards and direct deposit programs.
Experience supporting benefit-related payroll deductions such as 401(k) and HSA.
Experience preparing payroll reports and supporting internal data requests.
Familiarity with multi-state payroll compliance and related reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

Process and administer weekly payroll for approximately 800 employees across multiple states, including hourly and salaried staff.
Ensure payroll is accurate, completed on schedule, and meets strict deadlines.
Import, review, and manage payroll data from timekeeping systems into payroll software, verifying completeness and accuracy.
Maintain employee payroll records, including wage assignments, garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit information.
Administer pay cards and direct deposit programs.
Troubleshoot payroll discrepancies, investigate variances, and resolve payroll-related inquiries from employees and internal stakeholders.
Coordinate with Human Resources to maintain accurate earnings codes, deduction codes, and employee records.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, particularly California payroll requirements.
Support payroll integrations and benefit deductions, including 401(k), HSA, and other employee programs.
Prepare payroll reports and respond to data requests from Accounting, Human Resources, and other internal stakeholders.
Assist with payroll-related general accounting and administrative functions as needed.
Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.