Prepare and run regular payroll cycles accurately and on schedule for all employees, ensuring timely delivery of net pay.
Collect, review, and validate timesheets, overtime, bonuses, and commission data.
Calculate gross pay, deductions (benefits, taxes, voluntary withholdings), and net pay.
Process payroll in the payroll system, generate pay statements, and issue direct deposits or checks.
Enter and adjust payroll data for new hires, terminations, changes in status, and retroactive corrections.
Reconcile payroll registers with general ledger posting.
Payroll Specialist/Analyst, Payroll Administrator, Senior Payroll Specialist, Payroll Manager
Ensure accurate tax calculations, compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws, and timely filings.
Withhold federal, state, and local taxes; manage social security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes.
File periodic payroll tax returns (e.g., 941s, state/UI taxes) and prepare state-specific reports.
Generate and distribute year-end forms (W-2s, 1099s for contractors) and verify tax forms accuracy.
Track tax rate changes and nexus requirements; adjust withholding tables as needed.
Tax Compliance Specialist within Payroll, Payroll Tax Analyst, Payroll Manager, Tax Specialist collaborating with Corporate Tax
Manage employee benefit deductions and other voluntary withholdings, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Administer benefit enrollments, changes, and terminations (health, retirement, life insurance, perks).
Calculate and remit employee/employer benefit deductions and contributions.
Manage garnishments, child support, and other court-ordered withholdings.
Maintain up-to-date benefit plan data and integration with benefits providers.
Benefits/Payroll Specialist, Payroll Administrator, HR/Payroll Liaison (cross-functional), Payroll Manager
Maintain robust internal controls and ensure payroll processes meet regulatory and organizational standards.
Implement segregation of duties and access controls within the payroll system.
Maintain payroll policy and procedure documentation; update for regulatory changes.
Conduct regular reconciliations of payroll liabilities and tax accounts.
Prepare for internal audits or external audits; provide evidence of controls and process flows.
Internal Controls Specialist within Payroll, Payroll Manager, Compliance Officer (Finance/Payroll liaison)
Maintain payroll systems, ensure data security, and implement system enhancements.
Manage user access, audit trails, and data privacy in the payroll platform.
Apply system updates, tax rate tables, and regulatory changes; test changes in a sandbox.
Integrate payroll with HRIS, ERP, and financial systems; troubleshoot data exchanges.
Maintain disaster recovery and data backup processes for payroll data.
Payroll Systems Administrator, ERP/HRIS Integrations Specialist, IT/Finance Controls Specialist (payroll focus), Payroll Manager
Complete year-end activities accurately and on schedule to support filings and employee needs.
Prepare and distribute W-2s to employees; file W-2s with authorities.
Prepare 1099s for contractors where applicable; ensure correct reporting.
Finalize year-end payroll reconciliations and prepare year-end payroll reports for auditors.
Payroll Specialist, Payroll Manager, Tax Compliance Specialist (coordinating with Accounting/HR)
Respond to payroll-related questions and provide clear, compliant guidance to employees.
Address questions on paychecks, deductions, benefits, and tax withholdings.
Communicate changes in payroll cycles, tax laws, and policy updates.
Escalate complex issues to appropriate internal teams (HR, IT, or legal).
Payroll Specialist/Analyst, Payroll Customer Service Lead, HR/Payroll Liaison