Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, ensuring compliance with company policies, internal controls, and all applicable federal, state, local, and tribal regulations. This role requires strong attention to detail, experience with payroll systems, and the ability to prepare audit-ready documentation, including payroll journal entries and reconciliations.

The following and other duties may be assigned as necessary :

• Accurately process bi-weekly or semi-monthly payroll for all employees, ensuring compliance with wage and hour laws, company policies, and union agreements (if applicable).
• Maintain payroll records including timesheets, deductions, garnishments, direct deposits, and tax withholdings.
• Prepare and review payroll journal entries; reconcile payroll accounts to the general ledger.
• Prepare audit worksheets and support payroll-related audits (internal, external, and regulatory).
• Ensure timely reporting, payment, and compliance for payroll taxes, benefit contributions, and other deductions.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee inquiries, and system errors with accuracy and professionalism.
• Generate and distribute standard and on-demand payroll reports for management and finance.
• Stay current on changes in payroll laws, tax regulations, and wage requirements.
• Assist with year-end processing, including W-2s, 1099s, and other required filings.
• Maintain confidentiality of all payroll information and records.
• Assist with process improvements, payroll automation initiatives, and cross-training within the finance department.
• Develop efficient procedures, monitor department workflow, and recommend improvements while maintaining accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain organized and detailed audit records, worksheets, and supporting documentation.
• Compile composite reports and submit required information to management and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain awareness of payroll processes while promptly communicating concerns regarding payroll activity or compliance to the Director of Finance.
• Deliver friendly, fast, and helpful guest service to all guests and team members.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Team members must be able to qualify for licenses and permits required by federal, state, and local regulations.

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by a team member to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The team member frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

The team member must regularly lift and / or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and / or move up to 75 pounds, and must have the ability to push, pull, reach, bend, twist, stoop, stack, crouch, kneel and balance when performing job duties in varying work areas such as confined spaces.

The work environment characteristics described here represent what a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud. Team members will be exposed to an environment containing unrestricted secondhand tobacco smoke.