Payroll Specialist

Job Description:

Summary:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for employees in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role ensures payroll data integrity, resolves discrepancies, supports audits, and partners closely with HR, Finance, and employees to address payroll-related inquiries.

This is a hybrid job based out of our Minnetonka, MN Corporate office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process regular, bi-weekly, special, and off-cycle payrolls accurately and on time for salaried, hourly, bonus, and commission-based employees (500–1,000 employees within a 5,000+ population).
• Audit and validate payroll data including timecards, new hires, terminations, pay changes, leave activity, benefits deductions, and retroactive adjustments.
• Conduct regular payroll audits
  , reconcile payroll registers, UKG reports, manual checks, bank and treasury logs, and general ledger entries.
• Maintain and manage payroll records (earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefits, and timekeeping data).
• Responsible for timely and accurately processing off cycle and manual checks, as required.
• Evaluate and manage Workday Time Tracking and Absence
  , monitor Workday Inbox transactions, and update payroll systems (UKG/HWSE) as needed.
• Upload and manage time files, commission schedules, and payroll inputs into UKG.
• Prepare and distribute payroll reports, statements of payment, and associate reports
  .
• Administer wage garnishments, levies, child support orders
  , and ensure legal compliance.
• Process and reconcile benefits-related payroll activity
  , including leave of absence pay and retroactive benefits deductions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage/hour laws, tax regulations, and company policies
  .
• Coordinate payroll tax filings, year-end processing (W-2s), and responses to tax notices
  .
• Collaborate with HR, Benefits, and Finance/Accounting on payroll, employee data, and reconciliation matters.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally, confidentially, and timely.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate payroll documentation and reports.
• Identify and support process improvements and payroll system enhancements.
• Cross-train with payroll team members and provide support during urgent or unexpected situations.
• Seek clarification when directives and/or expectations are unclear.
• Complies with Company policies, procedures, regulatory requirements and completes mandatory company compliance training by prescribed deadlines.
• At a minimum, the ability to work your scheduled work hours, Monday through Friday.
• Ability to work overtime as requested by management.
• Dependable, reliable and punctual attendance is required, which may include in-office attendance or attendance at company, industry or other events that occur outside regular business hours.
• Ability to accept supervision and direction, as well as constructive feedback.
• Ability to collaborate and interact effectively and professionally with all levels of management, employees and customers by email, phone, video conferences and in person.
• Demonstrates courtesy, flexibility, professionalism and is proactive and responsive to supervisor/manager, co-workers and customer needs and expectations.
• Other duties that may be assigned.

Knowledge and

Skills Required:

• Basic computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook.
• Ability to work in fast paced environment while successfully performing under extreme time constraints and meets prescribed deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational skills, with ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects.
• Ability to act independently with sound judgment and take initiative.
• Written and verbal communications are clear, grammatically correct and business appropriate.
• Actively listens and is mindful of the role body language, gestures and other nonverbal actions can play in communication.

Communication and Interpersonal

Skills:

• Excellent professional written, verbal, listening and communication skills.
• Must be a personable, positive, and professional representative of the company.
• Ability to foster,…