Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist performs accurate and timely payroll processing and related controls while maintaining approved vendor master data, in accordance with established review and approval requirements. The role validates payroll inputs and outputs, resolves routine discrepancies, supports reconciliations and compliance activities, and protects confidential employee and payment information. The position partners with Human Resources, Accounting, Tax, employees, and external providers and escalates non-routine or sensitive matters to the Manager, Payroll & Accounts Payable.  WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:  PAYROLL PROCESSING & VALIDATIONProcess scheduled and off-cycle payrolls, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, taxes, commissions, bonuses, and approved adjustments, to deliver accurate and timely employee pay. Review time records, approved payroll inputs, and HR-provided changes for completeness and payroll impact; coordinate corrections with the appropriate owner without assuming responsibility for employee-owned data. Validate payroll registers, variances, exceptions, tax jurisdictions, and payments; confirm approved changes were processed accurately and document review evidence. PAYROLL CONTROLS, FUNDING & ISSUE RESOLUTION Prepare payroll funding, reports, checklists, and supporting records for manager review and final approval while maintaining segregation of duties. Research payroll errors and returned or outstanding payments, document approved corrections, and confirm resolution in the appropriate payroll cycle. Respond to routine payroll questions with clear, confidential communication and escalate sensitive, complex, or policy-based matters. VENDOR MASTER DATA & PAYMENT PROTECTIONCreate, update, and inactivate vendor records from approved requests; validate tax documentation, TIN information, sanctions screening, duplicate risks, addresses, payment terms, and required approvals. Independently verify banking and remittance changes through approved sources and resolve documentation or control gaps before processing. RECONCILIATION, COMPLIANCE & YEAR-END SUPPORTSupport Accounting with payroll funding and payment reconciliations, period-end records, variance explanations, audit evidence, and general-ledger research. Support payroll compliance and year-end reporting through data reviews, exception research, corrections, and coordination with HR, Accounting, Tax, auditors, UKG, and other providers. PROCESS IMPROVEMENT & TEAM SUPPORT Maintain current process and control documentation and use approved automation, reporting, and AI-enabled productivity tools responsibly to improve accuracy, research, and administrative efficiency while validating outputs and protecting confidential information.