Payroll Specialist

Aston Carter • Appleton, WI

10d • $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 and regulatory compliance, including attention to California payroll requirements. It manages payroll data and employee records, supports pay cards, direct deposit, and benefit-related deductions, and collaborates with Accounting and Human Resources to provide reliable payroll services.

This fully onsite role is based in Appleton, Wisconsin, in a professional office and collaborative team environment. It uses payroll software, timekeeping systems, and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Payroll runs weekly and requires meeting strict deadlines, careful review, confidentiality, and communication with Accounting, Human Resources, Operations, employees, and other internal stakeholders. The position is contract to hire, with the possibility of a long-term permanent role 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.
• Complete payroll accurately and on schedule while meeting strict deadlines.
• Import, review, and manage data from timekeeping systems in payroll software, checking for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain employee payroll records, including wage assignments, garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit information.
• Administer pay cards and direct deposit programs.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies and 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 requirements.
• Support payroll integrations and benefit-related 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 related general accounting and administrative functions as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll information.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage, subject to eligibility.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contribution options, subject to eligibility.
• Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance for the employee and dependents, subject to eligibility.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage, subject to eligibility.
• Health Spending Account (HSA), subject to eligibility.
• Transportation benefits, subject to eligibility.
• Employee Assistance Program, subject to eligibility.
• Time off/leave, including PTO, vacation, or sick leave, subject to eligibility. The description notes that benefits may depend on job classification and length of employment and may be subject to plan terms.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed