Payroll Specialist

Areas USA, Inc•Miami, FL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist supports accurate, timely payroll execution for a multi-state workforce. This role owns end to end weekly and biweekly payroll processing, ensures compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and partners closely with HR, Finance, and field leaders to resolve payroll issues quickly and professionally. The ideal candidate brings strong UKG experience, working knowledge of ADP is a plus, a can-do mindset, and a collaborative, service-oriented approach.

Requirements

3 to 5 years of hands-on payroll processing experience, including weekly and biweekly payrolls
Multi state payroll experience with proven ability to research and apply changing payroll laws and regulations
UKG experience required (timekeeping and payroll, or strong payroll module experience)
Strong Excel skills, including lookups, pivots, and data validation
High attention to detail, strong sense of ownership, and commitment to accuracy and confidentiality
Collaborative style with a service mindset and comfort working cross functionally
Can do attitude, solutions oriented, calm under deadline
Strong judgment with confidential data
Clear, friendly communicator, able to explain payroll topics in plain language
Organized, able to manage competing priorities and payroll cutoff timelines
Continuous improvement mindset, comfortable learning new tools and processes
Must be comfortable with peak workload periods around payroll close, month end, and year end

Nice To Haves

ADP experience preferred
Experience supporting payroll system changes, testing, reporting, or configuration improvements
CPP or FPC certification (or interest in pursuing)
Experience in high volume hourly environments, hospitality, retail, or multi location operations
Hybrid schedule may require periodic in person time for collaboration, audits, or system

Responsibilities

Process weekly and biweekly payrolls for a multi-state employee population, including pay calculations, validations, audits, and finalization
Maintain payroll accuracy for earnings, deductions, garnishments, taxes, retro adjustments, leave pay, and off cycle payments as needed
Perform payroll reconciliations, resolve variances, and partner with Finance on payroll related reporting and balancing
Support payroll tax and compliance activities by researching state and local wage and hour rules, reciprocal agreements, new withholding requirements, and agency updates, then translating changes into system setup and process updates
Execute strong pre payroll and post payroll audits, including timecard review, exception reporting, pay rate checks, and termination pay compliance by state
Partner with HR, Benefits, and field teams to resolve employee payroll questions with urgency, professionalism, and clear communication
Maintain employee payroll data integrity, including job changes, rate changes, cost centers, and organizational changes, ensuring accurate system records and downstream reporting
Create and enhance payroll reports and dashboards to support operational needs, trend analysis, and leadership requests
Assist with continuous improvement initiatives that streamline payroll workflows, improve controls, and strengthen the employee experience
Support system enhancements, testing, and implementations, including upgrades, configuration changes, process documentation, and user support
Maintain documentation, SOPs, and internal controls aligned to company policy and audit expectations
Participate in yearend activities including W 2 support, audits, and payroll calendar planning