Payroll Specialist

McDermott Will & Emery • Chicago, DC

1d

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely, and compliant processing of the firm’s attorney and business professional payrolls. The role uses Workday Payroll to execute payroll processes, validate results, resolve discrepancies, and support daily payroll operations. Working under minimal supervision, the specialist exercises sound judgment, takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, and identifies opportunities to improve processes and make effective use of available technology.

The role collaborates with HR, Accounting, and other stakeholders, responds to employee payroll inquiries, and helps maintain accurate payroll documentation and records. The position is full-time and offers a target hiring range of $72,000–$85,000. Full-time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least three years of payroll-processing experience, including hands-on experience in a Workday environment.
• Proficiency navigating Workday Payroll, including reviewing calculations, validating results, investigating discrepancies, and using payroll reports.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, including earnings, deductions, tax withholding, calculations, and reconciliations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of other Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies, interpret payroll data, and resolve routine processing issues.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, data integrity, and quality of work.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage responsibilities independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and complete work proactively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for responding to employee inquiries and collaborating across departments.
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies, adapt to changing processes, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Nice To Haves

• Experience processing payroll for a multi-state workforce.
• Experience working within a law firm or other professional services environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, process, and audit assigned attorney and business professional payrolls in Workday in accordance with established guidelines.
• Review and validate payroll calculations and results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and other payroll-related information.
• Reconcile payroll data across HR, timekeeping, benefits, and other data sources for accuracy and completeness.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and processing errors, escalating complex issues as appropriate.
• Prepare and review routine payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare routine payroll journal entries, validate payroll expense coding, and reconcile payroll data to support general ledger reporting.
• Ensure payroll processing and recordkeeping comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal controls.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and complete earnings verification requests while observing confidentiality requirements.
• Collaborate with HR, Accounting, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and coordinate payroll-related activities.
• Maintain payroll procedures, process documentation, checklists, and reference materials.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy and efficiency using Workday functionality and emerging technologies such as AI.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time positions, supporting physical, emotional, mental, and financial health.
• Discretionary bonus for full-time positions.
• Opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.
• Competitive total rewards package.
• Emphasis on work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time