Payroll Specialist
Cetera Financial Group • Dallas, Texas • Full Time
Posted on Wed, Jun 24, 2026
The Payroll Specialist supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll for approximately 3,000 multistate employees. This role performs a variety of payroll support functions that may include time & attendance (T&A) review, absence administration, employee inquiry resolution, payroll data updates, and routine payroll corrections.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Support (Primary Focus)
- Serve as first point of contact for payroll inquiries from employees and managers.
- Respond to questions regarding paychecks, taxes, deductions, and earnings statements.
- Manage payroll ticketing system and resolve issues within established SLAs.
Payroll Data Administration
- Process employee updates including direct deposits, W‑4 changes, tax withholding updates, address changes, and basic pay changes.
- Audit employee data for completeness and accuracy.
- Assist with retro pay calculations and payroll corrections.
- Monitor daily timecard activity and follow up to system discrepancies
Payroll Processing Support
- Assist Senior Payroll Specialist with pre‑payroll audits, validations, and reconciliations.
- Support bonus and variable compensation processing by preparing files, validating inputs, and assisting with imports.
- Assist with off-cycle check requests and payment corrections as needed.
Compliance & Recordkeeping
- Maintain accurate documentation of payroll changes and approvals.
- Support payroll audit initiatives by providing requested information and reports.
- Ensure compliance with company policies and federal/state/local regulations.
Project & M&A Support
- Assist with data cleanup and validation during system changes or acquisitions.
- Participate in testing activities for system enhancements and updates.
Qualifications
Required:
- Strong customer service skills
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Preferred:
- Experience with basic excel formulas
- Exposure to payroll, timekeeping, or HR operations
- Knowledge of multistate wage and tax rules
- Prior payroll experience
- Prior experience handling payroll tickets or employee inquiries
Core Competencies
- Customer focus
- Detail orientation
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Data accuracy
- Team collaboration