Payroll Specialist

**Job Purpose**:
Reporting to the Director, Pension, Benefits & Payroll the Payroll Specialist manages and oversees the full payroll cycle for all employees in both Peterborough and Durham. Responsible for processing bi-weekly payroll changes for salaried and hourly employees in accordance with federal and provincial legislation as well as University policy in a multi union environment. Working in an environment driven by deadlines, the Payroll Specialist liaises directly with employees, managers, and supervisors regarding payroll data. Utilizes the Payroll and Human Resource Information Systems to ensure data integrity and the accurate and timely production of all payrolls and statutory remittances. Respond in a professional and timely manner to all questions/concerns.

**Key Activities**:

- Processes and maintains system profiles for bi-weekly staff, faculty, and students; using knowledge of collective agreements and other compliance requirements to identify and act on issues with documentation (i.e., missing/incorrect information) in order to maintain data integrity.
- Double check payroll entries for accuracy through payroll simulations, taking action to correct errors prior to final payroll transmission
- Resolution of payroll errors and adjustments, calculation and preparation of manual cheques, GL correction and ensuring they are entered in VIP.
- Responsible for processing employee’s deductions e.g. parking, athletics fees in a timely manner.
- Liaises with staff, faculty, students, managers, pensioners, etc. concerning payroll and processing queries.
- Prepare Letters of Employment as requested by employees
- Responsible for issuing Records of Employment and submission to Service Canada.
- Responsible for all payroll year-end functions including balancing and issuing employee tax receipts (T4, T4A, NR4 and Releve’s). Audit resolution of payroll errors and adjustments
- Assists Finance Office and Internal/External Auditors with monthly and year end balancing/reconciliations.
- Responsible for Payroll reporting requirements, ensuring monthly reports, requisitions for third-party remittances and pension reports are completed.
- Run ad-hoc reports as requested from departments and union representatives (overtime, attendance, student employees etc.) - check reports for accuracy and seek out new ways to provide data for planning purposes.
- Work as a team and act as backup for other Payroll Specialists during periods of leave or high-volume processing periods.
- Liaise with other Human Resources staff on appointment letters, terminations, maternity/parental leaves, benefits, pensions etc.
- Ensure proper payment is calculated and processed for appointment letters, terminations, and maternity/parental leaves.
- Prepare government remittances to CRA under three separate accounts as well as Revenue Quebec for residential pensioners and the Minister of Finance for EHT.
- Maintains staff and faculty records in VIP for internal and external reporting and auditing.
- Provides expertise to colleagues on statutory requirements and reviews and processes termination settlements and MOU/MOA payments.
- Interprets collective agreement language as it relates to payroll and implements changes as result of collective bargaining.
- Identifies issues related to payroll systems, policies, and procedures, with a focus on creating greater efficiency and improving customer service.
- Responsible for the accurate and timely production of all payrolls (biweekly and pension).
- Responsible for the production of the General Ledger for delivery to Financial Services.
- Input (either manually or by creating imports) United Way, Development Fund, Family Support deductions and requisition of monthly cheques. Calculate CRA Third Party Demands and garnishments.
- Liaise with appropriate agencies and bodies to stay up to date with any changes in federal and provincial payroll legislation and regulations. Calculate and communicate, in a timely manner, effects/changes in the payroll legislation.
- Provides guidance to managers when hiring students and/or researchers. Resolves payroll/hiring related conflicts that may arise.
- Completes monthly statistics Canada reports.
- Responsible for payroll audit checks including timesheet validations, leave request audits and premium & allowance audits.
- Responsible for implementing salary increases in VIP for the different unions, as well as minimum wage increases.
- Other projects assigned by the Director, Pension, Benefits & Payroll.

**Education Required**:

- Post-Secondary Degree or Diploma from a University or College Business Administration.
- Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification OR working towards certification.

**Experience/Qualifications Required**:

- 3 years to 5 years’ experience as a Payroll Specialist, Assistant or Administrator.
- Working knowledge of provincial payroll legislation and ESA.
- Excellent analytical and troubleshooting capabilities.
- Attention