Payroll Specialist

About Norlee

Norlee Group is a multi-trade building systems organization delivering integrated electrical, mechanical and technology solutions across commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential markets. As part of our continued growth under the one Norlee platform, we are seeking a certified payroll specialist to join our team.

Position Summary

The Certified Payroll Specialist is responsible for overseeing and managing the payroll department, ensuring the timely and accurate processing of payroll for all employees. The role requires maintaining compliance with all local, state, and federal payroll regulations, collaborating closely with HR and other departments, and managing payroll-related audits and reporting.

Must have strong knowledge of Davis Bacon Act requirements and state prevailing wage laws

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage payroll department operations, ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including tax withholdings, benefits, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor and review payroll tax filings to ensure timely and accurate submission.
• Review and approve all weekly payroll reports for accuracy, ensuring that pay, deductions, and adjustments are correct.
• Serve as the Payroll Specialist for CEM, managing payroll processing for CEM employees and ensuring compliance with internal processes.
• Provide payroll coverage in the absence of the Payroll Specialist during PTO.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of payroll and timekeeping software, ensuring proper utilization and troubleshooting issues as they arise.
• Implement, maintain, and review payroll processes to ensure efficiency, compliance, and best practices.
• Develop and manage a standardized payroll file structure to ensure proper organization and consistency across all payroll records and related documents.
• Stay informed on the latest payroll software trends and recommend updates or improvements to systems and processes.
• Assist with work comp audits, ensuring that accurate records are maintained and up-to-date work comp rates are applied.
• Generate payroll reports as requested by management, auditors, or external agencies, ensuring that all necessary payroll data is captured and reported accurately.
• Conduct regular internal payroll audits to ensure accuracy, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the HR department to ensure seamless transfer of employee data, including new hires, terminations, and changes, into payroll systems.
• Stay updated on payroll laws and regulations and ensure that the payroll system is compliant with any changes in legislation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the payroll department and company-wide initiatives.

Competencies:

• Interpersonal Savvy: Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies; Acts with diplomacy and tact; Builds rapport in an open, friendly, and accepting way; Builds constructive relationships with people both similar and different from themselves; Picks up on interpersonal group dynamics and navigates them effectively.
• Drives Results: Has a strong bottom-line orientation, focusing on achieving objectives and driving success; Persists in accomplishing goals despite obstacles and setbacks; Has a track record of exceeding goals successfully; Pushes self and helps others achieve results with a focus on efficiency and quality.
• Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives; Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas; Partners with others to get work done, ensuring alignment with broader goals; Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments; Gains trust and support from others by fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
• Decision Quality: Makes sound decisions, even in the absence of complete information; Relies on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment when making decisions; Considers all relevant factors and uses appropriate decision-making criteria.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

The Certified Payroll Specialist should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates with significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. A minimum of 5 years of payroll experience, including 2 or more years in a supervisory or management position, is required. In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations, as well as tax compliance, is essential. Previous experience with payroll software and timekeeping systems, particularly Sage, is highly preferred. The candidate must be well-versed in payroll processes, including auditing, reporting, and tax filing.

Language/Interpersonal/Leadership Skills

The Certified Payroll Specialist must have the ability to read and interpret complex payroll documents such as payroll reports, employee benefits information, and tax regulations. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for clearly explaining payroll and compliance issues to employees and management. The role requires the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills are required to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, HR, accounting, and other departments. Leadership skills are critical, including the ability to motivate and guide a team, resolve conflicts, and collaborate effectively across various departments.

Mathematical Skills

Strong mathematical skills are essential for the Certified Payroll Specialist. The individual must be capable of performing calculations such as computing pay rates, overtime, deductions, and taxes. The ability to interpret and apply financial data to payroll-related decision-making is important, as is the ability to analyze and report on payroll data accurately.

Computer Skills

The Certified Payroll Specialist must be proficient with Microsoft Office 365 tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint. The role also requires experience using payroll software and timekeeping systems, particularly Sage, and the ability to maintain and analyze payroll data, generate reports, and manage payroll-related tasks using spreadsheet software. An understanding of how to leverage technology for efficient payroll processing and reporting is essential.

Physical Demands

The physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the Certified Payroll Specialist role include frequent sitting, standing, walking, and the use of hands to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment. The individual may occasionally need to lift up to 15 pounds, such as payroll files or office materials. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception for reviewing payroll reports and ensuring accuracy in payroll processing.

Work Environment

The Certified Payroll Specialist typically works in an office setting, with occasional travel required for meetings, conferences, or events. On-site conditions may vary depending on the nature of the work or external engagements. This role may require occasional visits to operational sites or locations, which could involve exposure to varied environments. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.