Payroll Specialist - Full-time

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll and related accounting functions in a government-contracting environment. This role supports multiple EINs and contract types, including Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act (SCA) requirements, and ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and contract-specific labor regulations. The Payroll Specialist works closely with Accounting and Human Resources to maintain payroll integrity, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enter new hires and process employee terminations in payroll and time-and-attendance systems (Unanet) HR puts employee info into iSolve to keep things separate
• Perform extensive manual payroll entry corrections, adjustments, and reconciliations as required
• Process payroll changes, including tax updates, direct deposits, garnishments, employee addresses, and benefit elections
• Process weekly certified payrolls and bi-weekly payroll for multiple EINs, including Davis-Bacon and SCA contract payroll requirements
• Ensure compliance with Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determinations and fringe benefit requirements
• Process prevailing wage payroll for Washington (WA) and Rhode Island (RI) as needed
• Process and reconcile payroll items related to per diem, travel reimbursements, hardship pay, danger pay, and other special compensation for overseas workers
• Administer and track Overseas Housing and Living Allowance (OHLA) distributions
• Process employee garnishments, levies, and wage attachments in accordance with legal requirements
• Assist Human Resources with benefit administration and reconciliations as needed, including:
• Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) plans
• Union 104 and Union 502 benefit reporting and reconciliations
• Serve as backup administrator for time-and-attendance systems
• Attend and complete required training related to federal, state, and local labor law changes applicable to company operations
• Assist with monthly financial statement preparation, payroll accruals, and month-end and year-end close processes
• Perform monthly reconciliations of all payroll-related general ledger accounts
• Assist with daily and monthly bank reconciliations
• Maintain accurate payroll documentation to support audits, government reviews, and internal controls
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience

• 5–8 years of experience in payroll processing, accounting, or bookkeeping
• Experience processing payroll in a government contracting environment strongly preferred
• Experience in Unanet and iSolve payroll and time-and-attendance systems is a plus
• Working knowledge of Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Act (SCA) payroll requirements
• Proficiency in payroll tax processing, including Forms 940 and 941
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook
• ERP experience in a manufacturing or government-contracting environment preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of payroll accounting, general ledger systems, chart of accounts, and internal controls
• Strong understanding of federal, state, local, and contract-specific employment and labor laws
• High attention to detail with the ability to identify and correct payroll discrepancies
• Strong analytical, documentation, research, and problem-resolution skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict payroll and reporting deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively within a team
• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and a strong work ethic

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment
• Sitting approximately 80% of the time, with occasional walking and standing
• Must be able to lift to 20 pounds occasionally