Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, teacher certification and arts-based social programs.

Whether at our schools, at Koerner Hall or within our corporate administration, please see the job postings below for opportunities to join our team.

Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist - (RCM515.1)

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Job Title

Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Job Type

Full-time

Location

The Royal Conservatory - Toronto, ON M5S 1W2 CA (Primary)

Job Description

The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and teacher certification. Graduates from its two performance training programs, The Glenn Gould School and The Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, regularly perform on major international stages. The RCM is also a leader in the development of early childhood education programs and arts-based social programs, and presents a diverse range of concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance space, Koerner Hall. Please visit for more information.

What is the Opportunity?

Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the processing of all 3 payrolls at the RCM (administration/salary, part-time hourly, and faculty payrolls). This includes being accountable for audit, accuracy and processing in partnership with ADP Workforce Now for all 3 payrolls, and act as the RCM’s subject matter expert for all payroll-related matters. The position acts as the primary liaison between Finance, Human Resources, and the third-party payroll provider responsible for the Administration and Part-Time Hourly payrolls, including the coordination of benefits premiums applicable to full-time staff.

The Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist ensures compliance with payroll legislation, collective agreements, institutional policies, and statutory reporting requirements. The role is responsible for payroll accounting activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, remittances, audit support, benefits administration, and continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls. This includes maintaining records for audit purposes, preparing journal entries, and reconciling general ledger accounts for processed payroll and paid benefits.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for processing the monthly faculty payroll accurately and in a timely manner with payments transmitted by the 15th of each month.
• Serve as the primary finance contact and subject matter expert for the Salaried Administration and Part-Time Hourly payrolls administered with an external third party provider, ensuring the completeness, accuracy, reconciliation and timely exchange of payroll information between all parties, including information gathering and turnover between RCM and the third party.
• Maintain and strengthen payroll internal controls, identifying risks and recommending process improvements to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, collective agreements, policies, and audit requirements.
• Ensure proper preparation including providing reconciled supporting information of remittances due to statutory bodies for deductions and initiating payments of deductions to unions and other stakeholders.
• Responsible for statutory reporting, including preparation of T4s, ROEs, WSIB remittances, and other reconciliations.
• Updates the payroll system with any payroll related contractual changes, or other required changes for the faculty payroll (e.g. Collective Bargaining Agreements).
• Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules to ensure payroll transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger and reflected in financial reporting for all three payrolls.
• Administer employee benefit programs for eligible staff, including enrollment changes, reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with benefit providers. Identify and resolve discrepancies between payroll records, benefit deductions, and vendor invoices.
• Act as administrative support to annual external financial audits and other audits as they arise, including the handling of confidential support documents.
• Monitor service delivery and data accuracy of the third-party payroll provider, escalating issues and coordinating resolution as required. Provide professional guidance and support to employees, m