Job Title: Payroll Specialist
Location: Newburyport, MA
Work Hours: M-F 8:30-5pm (30min Lunch)


NOTE: Flex onsite, which means 3 -5 days on-site.
The current payroll specialist will be going out in January for about 3-6 months, so the job will be covering her until she gets back. 
MUST HAVE ADP

Job Description:

The Payroll Specialist processes the bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule. Acts as primary contact with third-party payroll providers. Responsible for all accounting activities related to wages and benefits and provides backup support for purchasing.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manages and reconciles all employee time worked and other pay, including deductions. Verifies all employee deductions for each payroll, including taxes, benefits, and others.
• Audits, analyses, and reconciles multiple payroll reports to ensure changes made are accurate before finalizing the biweekly payroll.
• Manages the creation and/or adjustment of all payroll pay and benefit codes alongside ADP.
• Manages all year-end payroll tasks including but not limited to approval of annual W-2s.
• Acts as the primary backup for the Purchasing department.
• Manages new state jurisdiction registration. Works with CPA to get final approval before submitting registration to the state.
• Keeps up to date with changing payroll policies and government regulations via ADP notifications and applies changes when needed.
• Prepares manual payroll checks relating to payroll errors and or terminations.
• Works with ADP when quarterly tax adjustments are needed. This is highly sensitive work and must be 100% correct as it affects employees W-2 forms.
• Reconciles monthly health, dental, disability, and life insurance bills to the payroll deductions and approves them for payment.
• Prepares journal entries on a biweekly basis. Provides final month-end entry spreadsheet to accounting.
• Prepares the monthly reconciliation and journal creation of Flex Spending and Health Plan. Submits to accounting for month-end entry.
• Creates and/or audits payroll and headcount reports for external auditor(s).
• Prepares supporting documentation for annual workers compensation audit and acts as primary contact for external auditor.
• Acts as liaison with supervisors to resolve discrepancies in terms of in and out punches, authorized overtime, shift differentials, or reasons for absences, either paid or unpaid.
• Helps in various ad-hoc payroll projects directed by his or her manager.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow and remain current with changes in tax and deduction laws.
• Participates in ADP educational opportunities and recommends process improvements.
• Updates all payroll-related SOPs as needed for changes in process, roles, and software application.
• Supports and provides backup for other accounting and/or purchasing tasks.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Associate's degree required in business, human resources, or similar field. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3- 5 years required showing demonstrated hands-on work experience processing payroll.
• Minimum 3 years experience required with ADP payroll system or comparable automated payroll system.
• Minimum 1-year experience with Epicor Accounting system (purchasing department support) strongly preferred.
• Possesses expert-level knowledge and proficiency in using MS Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ensures that all deadlines are met consistently.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with all levels of staff within the organization, including oral or written communication.
• Possesses a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.