Payroll Specialist

EXPERIENCED PAYROLL SPECIALIST

Full-Service Payroll Firm

Location: Hamden, Connecticut.
Job Type: Full-time | In-office | Monday-Friday.
Compensation: $25-$30 per hour.

About the Job

We are a growing full-service payroll company seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join our team.

This position requires true, hands-on payroll processing experience. We are looking for someone who understands the complete payroll process—not someone whose payroll experience is limited to collecting or entering employee hours into ADP, Paychex, or another payroll system.

Our Payroll Specialists work directly with multiple client companies and are responsible for processing payroll accurately and on time, understanding payroll taxes and compliance requirements, troubleshooting problems, and assisting clients with payroll-related questions.

This is a fast-paced and challenging environment where accuracy, organization, problem-solving, and the ability to meet strict deadlines are essential.

Required Payroll Experience:

Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of hands-on payroll processing experience. Experience working for a payroll service bureau, payroll company, PEO, accounting firm, or similar environment processing payroll for multiple client companies is strongly preferred.

Qualified candidates should have experience with:

• Processing payroll from beginning to end, not simply submitting hours to a third-party payroll provider.
• Reviewing payroll information for accuracy before processing.
• Understanding gross-to-net payroll calculations, including regular wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, deductions, taxes, and other withholdings.
• Understanding Federal, State, and Local payroll taxes and payroll tax deposit requirements.
• Preparing and reviewing Federal and State Quarterly Payroll Tax Returns, including Form 941 and applicable state withholding and unemployment returns.
• Setting up new client accounts and new employees within a payroll system.
• Processing employee deductions, direct deposits, garnishments, benefits, and 401(k) contributions.
• Preparing and reconciling W-2s, W-3s, 1099s, and year-end payroll reporting.
• Researching and resolving payroll discrepancies and payroll tax issues.
• Managing multiple clients, payroll schedules, deadlines, and tax jurisdictions simultaneously.

Important: Experience that consists primarily of collecting employee hours or entering/submitting payroll information into ADP, Paychex, or another third-party payroll system does not meet the experience requirement for this position.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll taxation, and payroll compliance.
• Multi-state payroll experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with an emphasis on Excel.
• Excellent phone and client-service skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally and pleasantly with clients.
• Dependable, accurate, and highly detail-oriented.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and meet firm deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong data-entry skills and commitment to accuracy.
• Team-oriented attitude and willingness to assist wherever needed.
• Accounting and bookkeeping experience is a plus.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process payroll accurately and timely for multiple client companies.
• Set up new client accounts and employee profiles.
• Review payroll data and identify potential errors before payroll is finalized.
• Calculate and process wages, deductions, taxes, benefits, and other withholdings.
• Prepare and process Federal and State Quarterly Payroll Tax Returns.
• Prepare and reconcile W-2s, W-3s, and 1099s.
• Research and resolve payroll and payroll-tax discrepancies.
• Troubleshoot payroll processing issues.
• Respond directly to client payroll questions and provide knowledgeable, professional support.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and protect confidential client and employee information.

Benefits:

• $25-$30 per hour.
• 401(k).
• Health Insurance.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Full-time, in-office position Monday-Friday.
• Professional growth opportunities within a growing payroll company.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who knows payroll and takes pride in getting it right. Our clients depend on us to make sure their employees are paid correctly and their payroll taxes and filings are handled accurately and on time.

If you are an experienced payroll professional who understands the complete payroll process—not just payroll data entry—we encourage you to apply.