Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist### Payroll Specialist Apply:
Hybrid:
New York:
Washington, DC:
Chicago:
Full time:
Posted Yesterday:
R-100979

Build your big career with the firm that does
** Big Law, Better**. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by
* USA Today, Fortune*,
* The American Lawyer, Vault
* and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.
** With us, you’ll find:**
* ** A firm where everyone belongs:
** Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
* ** Enthusiasm for all perspectives:
** We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
* ** Support to feel your best and do your best:
** Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
* ** Real rewards for real work:
** We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.
*
* Job Description:

** The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of the firm's attorney and business professional payrolls. This position leverages Workday Payroll to execute payroll processes, validate results, resolve discrepancies, and support day-to-day payroll operations. Working under minimal supervision, the Payroll Specialist exercises sound judgment, takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, and proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and maximize the use of available technology.

** Essential Functions and Responsibilities:*
* * Prepare, process, and audit assigned attorney and business professional payrolls in Workday, ensuring accurate and timely processing in accordance with established guidelines
* Independently review and validate payroll calculations and results, including earnings, deductions, taxes, and other payroll-related information
* Review and reconcile payroll data across HR, timekeeping, benefits, and other data sources to ensure accuracy and completeness
* Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and processing errors, exercising sound judgment and escalating complex issues as appropriate
* Prepare and review routine payroll reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation to meet operational, compliance, and stakeholder needs
* Prepare routine payroll journal entries, validate payroll expense coding, and reconcile payroll-related data to support accurate general ledger (GL) reporting
* Ensure payroll processing and recordkeeping comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and internal controls
* Respond to employee payroll inquiries and complete earnings verification requests in accordance with established procedures and confidentiality requirements
* Collaborate with HR, Accounting, and other stakeholders to resolve issues, coordinate payroll-related activities, and support effective service delivery
* Maintain accurate payroll procedures, process documentation, checklists, and reference materials to support consistency, knowledge sharing, and operational continuity
* Proactively identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy and efficiency by fully leveraging available Workday functionality…