Payroll Specialist (Contract)

📋 Description

• • Own the end-to-end processing of high-volume, weekly payroll cycles for a marquee client, ensuring 100 % accuracy and on-time delivery for 3,000+ employees across multiple states.
• • Execute every step of the payroll lifecycle in ADP Workforce Now—data import, timecard validation, earnings and deduction coding, tax and garnishment calculations, pre- and post-process audits, and ACH file transmission—while meeting tight weekly deadlines.
• • Serve as the first line of defense for payroll integrity: run exception reports, reconcile totals to the penny, and partner with HR, Benefits, and Leave teams to correct source-data issues before they reach employees’ paychecks.
• • Investigate and resolve complex employee inquiries—such as missing hours, retro pay, or incorrect tax withholdings—within 24 hours, delivering white-glove service that upholds Melita’s reputation for payroll excellence.
• • Process off-cycle and special runs (bonuses, corrections, terminations, relocations) with the same rigor as regular cycles, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local wage-and-hour laws.
• • Interpret and apply garnishment orders, child-support directives, and tax levies; maintain detailed logs and coordinate with third-party agencies to guarantee timely remittances.
• • Reconcile benefit deductions against carrier invoices and HR change reports; flag discrepancies and initiate corrective action to protect both employee coverage and company liability.
• • Generate and distribute standard and ad-hoc payroll reports—gross-to-net registers, labor distribution, GL interface files, and 401(k) census data—tailored to Finance, HR, and external auditors.
• • Prepare audit-ready documentation for quarterly and year-end processes, including W-2s, 941s, and state filings; partner with Tax and Compliance teams to respond to agency notices within statutory timeframes.
• • Collaborate with the client’s Senior Manager of Payroll to identify process-improvement opportunities; suggest automation or workflow tweaks that reduce manual touchpoints and cut processing time.
• • Train and mentor junior payroll coordinators on best practices, system shortcuts, and regulatory updates, fostering a culture of continuous learning and cross-functional support.
• • Maintain strict confidentiality of employee data and adhere to SOX controls, ensuring all changes are documented, approved, and logged for audit trails.
• • Work a hybrid schedule—three days on-site in Redwood City for in-person collaboration and two days remote—balancing deep focus time with real-time problem-solving alongside the client team.
• • Leverage AI-assisted tools (with human oversight) to streamline resume reviews and candidate communications, while ensuring every hiring decision is made by people who understand the nuances of payroll expertise.