Payroll Specialist

We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our team in Smithville, Tennessee in a contract capacity with permanent potential. This role is ideal for someone who can manage high-volume payroll activities with precision while supporting employees and partnering with accounting and HR teams. The position focuses on accurate payroll administration, benefits-related deductions, compliance reporting, and timely resolution of payroll questions in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:
• Manage weekly and semi-monthly payroll cycles for a large employee population, ensuring pay is processed accurately, on schedule, and in line with regulatory and company requirements.
• Prepare and deliver payroll journal information to the accounting team and support accurate financial reporting tied to payroll activity.
• Submit retirement contribution files on a weekly basis and coordinate related deductions to maintain accurate benefit funding.
• Administer wage garnishment activity, maintain payroll data within company systems, and keep employee records current, complete, and confidential.
• Produce recurring payroll reports for monthly, quarterly, and year-end deadlines, including support for annual tax document preparation and filing.
• Track paid time off balances, review sick and vacation usage, and calculate accruals to ensure leave records remain accurate.
• Monitor timekeeping records and review benefit deductions, including health insurance contributions and weekly invoice-related payroll impacts.
• Process employee expense reimbursements through payroll and work closely with HR on terminations, deduction changes, garnishments, and other sensitive pay matters.
• Assist internal and external audit requests by gathering payroll documentation and contribute to improvements in payroll procedures, policies, and system efficiency.
• Respond to employee questions regarding pay, benefits, and deductions with timely and accurate guidance.• Demonstrated experience handling full-cycle payroll processing in a high-volume environment of more than 500 employees.
• Background managing multi-state payroll with a strong understanding of payroll compliance and standard reporting practices.
• Hands-on experience using ADP Workforce Now for payroll administration and employee record maintenance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for payroll analysis, reconciliations, and report preparation.
• Working knowledge of payroll deductions, garnishments, reimbursements, and benefits-related payroll activities.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality when working with sensitive employee information.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to support employees and collaborate effectively with HR and accounting teams.