Payroll Specialist

💰 Payroll Specialist | Hybrid Opportunity in SeattleLove payroll, thrive on accuracy, and want the flexibility of a hybrid schedule? Join a nationally recognized architecture and design firm where your expertise keeps everything running smoothly.

Our client, a highly respected and growing organization in Seattle, is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations for approximately 200 employees across multiple states. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional looking to combine technical expertise with career growth in a collaborative, people-focused environment.

📍 Location

Seattle, WA (Hybrid: 2 days onsite, 3 days remote)

💵 Pay

$35.00 - $40.00 per hour

🕒 Schedule

Monday and Wednesday onsite | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Standard full-time schedule

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

✅ Hybrid work schedule with flexibility and work-life balance

✅ Join a nationally recognized architecture and design organization

✅ Collaborative culture with supportive leadership

✅ Expand your experience across payroll, accounting, compliance, and financial reporting

✅ Contract-to-hire opportunity with long-term growth potential

✅ Downtown Seattle location with commuter benefits and modern office amenities

What You'll Be Doing

As the Payroll Specialist, you'll play a key role in ensuring accurate, timely payroll processing and compliance across a multi-state workforce.

• Process monthly and semi-monthly payroll for approximately 200 employees
• Review, approve, and post employee timesheets while ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance
• Partner with Human Resources on employee changes, new hires, terminations, and payroll deductions
• Execute multiple payroll cycles each month within established deadlines
• Process and reconcile payroll transactions with a high degree of accuracy
• Manage payroll tax compliance, including 941 filings and related reporting requirements
• Ensure timely payroll tax payments, returns, and benefit funding submissions
• Maintain and support payroll systems, including tax jurisdictions, earning codes, deduction codes, and reporting enhancements
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts and prepare journal entries
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities
• Prepare payroll reports, compensation analyses, and financial reporting
• Maintain payroll records in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with Finance and HR teams to improve payroll processes and reporting

What We're Looking ForRequired Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience
• Experience processing multi-state payroll
• Hands-on experience with Paylocity
• Payroll tax compliance experience, including 941 filings
• Experience with Deltek, preferably Deltek Vantagepoint
• General Ledger experience, including reconciliations and journal entries
• Experience supporting month-end close activities
• Strong understanding of payroll deductions, benefits administration, and payroll accounting
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Experience reviewing and reconciling employee timesheets
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field
• Experience within Architecture, Engineering, Construction (A/E/C) or other project-based organizations

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys working with numbers, processes, and compliance requirements
• Takes pride in delivering accurate payroll every time
• Is comfortable balancing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Communicates effectively with Finance, HR, and employees
• Brings a proactive mindset and a desire to continuously improve processes

Not the Right Fit If...

• You have not processed multi-state payroll
• You do not have Paylocity experience
• You have limited payroll tax or compliance experience
• You have not worked with Deltek or Deltek Vantagepoint
• You have limited GL reconciliation or payroll accounting experience
• You have less than 3 years of payroll processing experience

🚀 Ready to take the next step in your payroll career?

Join a respected organization where your expertise makes a direct impact while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid schedule and the potential for long-term career growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Seattle, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $40.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Seattle,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.