Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Specialist Job Description The Payroll Specialist plays a key role in accurately processing bi-weekly payroll for employees across Canada and the United States, ensuring full compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulatory requirements. This role focuses on end-to-end payroll processing, data integration and reconciliation, coordination with HR and internal stakeholders, and participation in payroll-related projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate maintains strict confidentiality of sensitive employee information while delivering high-quality, timely payroll services in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities Process bi-weekly payroll for hourly and salaried employees across Canada and the United States, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Validate all payroll data, including earnings, deductions, garnishments, and adjustments, prior to final processing.

Assist with year-end and statutory reporting activities such as T4 and W-2 preparation, as well as accruals and other required filings. Ensure compliance with internal controls, company policies, and all applicable payroll regulations and tax requirements. Maintain strict confidentiality and security of sensitive employee payroll and personal data at all times. Import, balance, and validate timekeeping data from time and attendance systems into payroll platforms.

Process pensions, RRSP and 401(k) contributions, and other employer-paid benefits accurately and on schedule. Reconcile payroll, vendor, and benefit deductions and promptly investigate and resolve any discrepancies. Partner closely with HR to process employee data changes, including new hires, terminations, and updates to personal or compensation information. Support inquiries from employees and internal stakeholders by providing clear, timely, and accurate payroll-related information.

Coordinate special payments, bonuses, and off-cycle payroll runs as required, ensuring proper approvals and documentation. Support payroll-related projects, including data validation initiatives, user acceptance testing (UAT), and system integration activities. Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), desktop procedures, key performance indicators (KPIs), and issue logs related to payroll operations.

Contribute ideas and effort to continuous process improvements and system optimization initiatives to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing high-volume payroll tasks and meeting tight deadlines with consistent quality. Essential Skills Strong expertise in Canadian payroll processing, including statutory requirements and tax compliance. Foundational knowledge of United States payroll practices, including American payroll and related tax obligations.

Advanced proficiency with ADP Workforce Now and ADP payroll systems for end-to-end payroll processing. Strong capability working with HRIS systems to manage and validate employee data related to payroll. Solid Excel skills for data validation, reconciliation, reporting, and analysis of payroll information. Demonstrated ability to maintain high accuracy in high-volume payroll processing under tight deadlines.

Clear and professional communication skills for effective collaboration with HR, employees, and internal stakeholders. Strong sense of ownership and accountability for delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll results. Organized, self-starting work style with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proactive, curious, and adaptive mindset focused on continuous improvement and embracing change in systems and processes.

Knowledge of payroll tax compliance and payroll tax processes, including validation of tax-related data. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience working on ADP-related payroll projects, including system integrations and enhancements. Exposure to fast-paced, high-volume payroll environments wit