Payroll Specialist

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Payroll Processing, Compliance, and Reporting (40%)**
- Prepares and process bi-weekly payrolls for all employees, including salaried and hourly staff.
- Responsible for timesheet verification, attendance records, calculations for wages, overtime, deductions and to ensure accurate input of payroll data into the payroll system.
- Responsible for processing new hires, terminations, and employee changes.
- Maintains compliance with municipal, provincial, federal, and local payroll regulations by staying current with changes in payroll laws and regulations and ensuring all payroll processes adhere to relevant legal standards.
- Prepares and files all necessary payroll tax documents periodically as required and to respond to payroll related inquiries from tax authorities.
- Generates and distributes payroll reports to management on departmental payroll activities and prepare reports for audits and internal reviews.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining payroll processes and procedures for continuity of operations.
- Ensures that third party providers, relative to payroll and benefits, receive their payments in accordance with their terms and conditions.
- Completes financial reconciliation and prepare journal entries to process through the core financial system.

**Employee Support and Communication (25%)**
- Responds to employee inquiries regarding paychecks, deductions, tax forms, and help employees understand their pay statements.
- Conducts payroll orientations for new employees, explaining procedures, timelines, training, systems, and tools.
- Communicates payroll changes or updates, including policy or procedure changes, to employees.
- Collaborates with multiple departments for reporting and tracking requests related to overtime, earnings, and hours worked.
- Serves as the primary contact for all internal and external compensation inquiries.
- Acts as the primary contact for Pearl program issues and provide training to county staff as needed.
- Provides documentation and follow-up correspondence to third-party benefit providers after each bi-weekly payroll process.

**System Management, Improvement, Records, and Documentation (25%)**
- Maintains and updates the payroll system by ensuring it is configured to handle all payroll processes.
- Performs regular system audits against data and reports to ensure data integrity.
- Identifies and implements improvements to payroll processes which include recommending and testing system enhancements, streamline payroll procedures to increase efficiency.
- Collaborates with information technology team and other departments to resolve payroll system issues, participate in system updates, and ensure that integrations to other financial systems are working as intended.
- Maintains accurate payroll records by ensuring proper documentation exists for all payroll activities and transactions.

**Other Related Duties (10%)**
- Advise, support, and assist with corporate projects related to payroll and benefits administration (ex. Employment changes, system conversions, human resource projects, etc.)
- Adheres to responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System, Records Management Program, legislation, and policies.
- Supports the County’s Records and Information Management Program by maintaining, controlling, and disposing of payroll records.
- Performs additional related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

**KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE**

**Required**:

- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) Certification.
- A minimum of 3 years payroll experience, or equivalent, required.
- Comprehensive understanding of payroll cycles, calculations, and procedures
- In-depth knowledge of federal and provincial tax laws and regulations
- Understanding of accounting principles and practices.
- Knowledge of benefits management, deductions, and records management practices.
- Strong understanding of payroll laws, employment standards, labor laws, and regulations.
- Responsible for dealing with time sensitive confidential information with a high degree of diplomacy and professionalism.
- Proficient in payroll software (e.g., Avanti, Pearl) and MS Office Suite.
- Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent math skills and the ability to analyze payroll data and generate reports
- Strong organizational, attention to detail, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong communication, interpersonal skills, written and verbal skills.
- Capacity to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Effective collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to take initiative and work independently.

**Assets**:

- Municipal budgeting, accounting, and reporting.
- Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) considered an asset.