Our client is seeking a strategic and detail-driven Senior Payroll Administrator to lead payroll operations in a fast-moving, multi-state, multi-entity environment. This role is pivotal in ensuring continuous payroll processing, benefits administration, tax compliance, and accurate reporting for a diverse workforce of exempt and non-exempt employees. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with exceptional organizational skills, a sharp eye for accuracy, and the ability to navigate tight deadlines with confidence. Strong communication, follow-through, and a commitment to efficiency are essential for success in this role.
Responsibilities
- Manage workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely, in accordance with processing deadlines.
- Maintain payroll info by collecting, calculating, and entering data into the payroll system and understanding the impact of the appropriate data on payroll, finance, and other internal systems.
- Perform payroll audits to ensure accuracy from an input and compliance perspective.
- Validate and process system updates such as new hires, separations, and changes to pay rates in a timely and accurate manner.
- Reconcile payroll reports and validate all entries before transmission.
- Oversee inquiries and requests related to the preparation and distribution of payroll.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage and hour laws, and best practices
- Ensures compliance with all tax laws and regulations regarding employer pay practices.
- Payroll related functions including processing new hires, termination status changes, tax changes, wage garnishments, deductions, and direct deposit.
- Responsible for the accuracy of payroll output, including pay statements, statements of payroll tax deposits, reporting, and other additional reports as needed.
- Reviews and verifies payroll data promptly, prepares manual checks as necessary, creates and maintains an effective internal control environment, and oversees records and files.
- Conducts research to resolve payroll issues, posts journal entries, prepares quarter end reports, and reconciles all payroll related accounts and activities.
- Resolves problems regarding access to or payment of benefits, orients newly eligible employees, and processes enrollment forms and change requests.
- Prepares and maintains human resources and employee benefits data and reports, reconciles all benefit related accounts and activities, and assists with related special projects as required.
- Partner with department heads as needed to reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies.
- Provide process improvement recommendations.
- Handle department projects and audits as assigned.
- Facilitate audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
Ideal Experience
- Bachelor's degree required with 5-7 years of related payroll experience.
- Outstanding communication skills both written and oral.
- Strong organizational, problem solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage priorities and workflow, with extreme attention to detail.
- Exceptional follow-through and attention to detail.
- Ability to build relationships with all departments.
- Manage shifting priorities with enthusiasm, flexibility, and ease.
- Proficient in HCM and payroll software, Microsoft Suite, and overall tech savvy.
- Experience processing multi-state and international payrolls required
- Experience processing multiple payroll frequencies
- The position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
The Larko Group is a premier Staffing & Recruiting firm based in Chicago, with a nationwide reach, for Direct Hire, Temporary-to-Hire, and Temporary/Project jobs. We specialize in Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Personal Assistant, Chief of Staff, Office Manager, Receptionist, General Office, General Labor, Event Support, Project Management, and Customer Service.