Payroll Specialist

Description

About this opportunity

At Meridian, our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

The role is a key resource in the complete coordination and implementation of all compensation administrative functions, including payroll administration. It requires a detailed understanding of related policies, procedures, compliance, and regulatory requirements. Activities must be delivered in a timely and precise manner by developing and following relevant processes and procedures. With specialized knowledge of these functions, the role provides advice to the Employee Experience team, employees, and leaders. Work effectively with the Manager, Employee Experience Operations and Employee Experience Operations Partners to deliver an exceptional employee experience to all employees.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll: Manage ongoing administration and bi-weekly processing requirements of the payroll process, including the full payroll cycle from timesheet entry to posting to general ledgers.
• Payroll: Develop processes and structure that enable seamless payroll execution while ensuring policy and legislation compliance at all times.
• Payroll: Serve as a key resource on CRA and all relevant provincial and federal legislation for Meridian companies; make recommendations on the application of varying legislation.
• Payroll: Cross-train and maintain ongoing communication with peers to ensure proper payroll implementation and processing.
• Payroll: Accurately and efficiently process all required Records of Employment.
• Payroll: Reconcile and produce required government remittances and meet annual T4 tax requirements.
• Payroll: Participate in year-end processes for Pension Adjustment determination.
• Payroll: Oversee the administration and calculation of taxable benefits, including mortgage and line of credit benefit programs.

• External Operations: Act as a key liaison with external payroll vendors to address complex issues and ensure high service standards.
• External Operations: Ensure cooperation with internal and external audit procedures and requirements.

• Internal Operations: Assist with development and revision of Employee Experience Operations owned policies.
• Internal Operations: Maintain pay and compensation information in policies, booklets, guides, portals, and websites.
• Internal Operations: Prepare and process payments for all paid leaves administered by the Pension & Benefits team.
• Internal Operations: Support Pension & Benefit retirement service awards calculations.
• Internal Operations: Represent Employee Experience Operations on various special projects, leveraging subject matter expertise to contribute to an optimal end product.

• HR Relations: Provide support and clarity to HR team on issues related to payroll and compensation offered at Meridian.
• HR Relations: Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in all areas concerning employee relations.
• HR Relations: Serve as a resource on severance package calculations and severance-related expenditures; provide reconciliation information and assist in variances investigations.
• HR Relations: Provide input on annual variable incentive plan recommendations and participate in calculations for ASR and STIP payments; ensure accuracy and integrity of calculations and records.
• HR Relations: Supply salary budget data as required and participate in monthly and annual salary budgeting processes.
• HR Relations: Reconcile payroll and compensation general ledgers and collaborate with Finance to ensure accuracy of financial statements.
• HR Relations: Partner with Finance to create and reconcile monthly severance reports and provide additional information as required.
• HR Relations: Develop reports with Performance Measurement and Financial Reporting to meet management requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Specialized knowledge of HR, Compensation, and Payroll policies, procedures, legislation, and external supplier contracts; including CRA and ESA.
• Strong client service skills to advise the Employee Experience team and employees.
• Proven financial reporting capabilities with understanding of accepted accounting principles and reconciliation procedures.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Strong time management, meticulous work habits, and reliable record keeping.
• Courtious, professional, able to work independently as well as in a team.
• Commitment to ongoing skills development in a learning environment