Payroll Specialist

Summary:

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for independently managing the full-cycle payroll process with a high degree of accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality. This role requires deep expertise in payroll systems, wage and tax regulations, and accounting principles, with minimal reliance on others. The Payroll Specialist serves as the organization's subject matter expert for payroll operations, ensuring timely and compliant payroll processing while supporting audits, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Operations:

• Process weekly, multi-company payroll for hourly, salaried, and seasonal employees.
• Process off-cycle payrolls as needed.
• Supervise payroll clerk and take ownership of full-cycle payroll operations, including AP-generated payroll.
• Independently resolve payroll discrepancies, adjustments, garnishments, retroactive pay, and terminations.
• Maintain accurate payroll records for each payroll processed.

Compliance & Regulatory Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, local, and tribal wage and hour laws and payroll tax regulations.
• Prepare and file payroll tax returns, wage reports, and year-end forms (e.g., W-2, 941, 1095-C, as applicable).
• Stay current on payroll legislation and proactively implement regulatory changes.

Accounting & Reconciliation:

• Reconcile payroll registers, tax filings, and general ledger accounts.
• Prepare payroll journal entries and support month-end and year-end close processes.
• Assist with internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and analysis.

Systems & Process Improvement:

• Serve as the primary payroll system administrator, including system configuration, testing, and upgrades.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and internal controls.

Employee Support & Internal Collaboration:

• Respond independently to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism and discretion.
• Partner with HR, Finance, and Benefits teams to ensure accurate pay, deductions, and reporting.
• Provide payroll-related guidance and training to internal stakeholders as needed.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work will primarily be performed in an office environment.

• Work will be performed both inside on a regular basis, in most weather conditions.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are required as a normal part of this position.
• Occasional local day travel, Local travel to managed businesses.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk extended period. The employee occasionally is required to bend, climb, stoop, lift, carry, push, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move 15 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business or a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Five (5) years of full-cycle payroll experience in various platforms (e.g. ADP Workforce Now, iSolved, NetSuite or other accredited payroll systems).
• Valid AZ driver's license, provide a 39-month satisfactory MVR report.
• Obtain a Tribal operator driving permit at the time of hire.
• A satisfactory result obtained through a test for illegal drugs.
• Acknowledge and agree to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising or mentoring payroll staff.
• Experience supporting audits and complex payroll reconciliations.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel or payroll reporting tools.
• Experience in multi-entity, multi-state, or tribal payroll environments.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, local, and tribal payroll regulations.
• High attention to detail with a strong commitment to confidentiality and data integrity.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Knowledge and experience working with Gila River Indian Community or other Native American Communities.
• Proficient in MS office and other relevant workplace tools.