Payroll Specialist
MRA Recruiting Services • Waukesha, WI • Full Time
Posted on Fri, Jul 3, 2026
Payroll Specialist
Waukesha, WI
Position Description
The full-time Payroll Specialist position, reporting directly to the Corporate Controller, is responsible for processing multiple payrolls as well as providing support to the finance and human resources departments. The Payroll Specialist will continuously improve the payroll process, help establish proper back-up functionality and document processes and procedures involved in payroll administration. The Payroll Specialist must think strategically, establish themselves as the “go-to” person for payroll processing and compliance and build relationships across all levels within the organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Set up and maintain all payroll information for new hires and transfers in coordination with HR
- Process payrolls accurately and timely and stay up to date on payroll laws
- Complete timely and accurate payroll reporting and reconciliations
- Ensures all withholding reports, 401(k) contributions, garnishments and all other payroll related items are reported, withheld, and paid on a timely basis
- Collaborate with HR team to ensure accuracy of payroll data
- Investigates employee or company payroll questions based on policies, procedures and regulations
- Administers year-end payroll process including W-2s
- Completes compensation data and surveys
- Maintain records related to bonus and commission eligibility
- Compile and distribute weekly prevailing wage calculations and reports when applicable
- Accounts payable processing of contractors
- Participate in month end close process by accurately and timely preparing account reconciliations and posting journal entries
- Supports ad hoc reporting needs
- Assist in preparation of cash reporting
- Performs other duties as assigned
Education/Skills/Experience:
Required:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience processing payroll
- Experience with payroll processing using a third-party payroll service and HRIS
- Experience with multistate payroll processes and systems
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of employee and company data
- Solid mathematical and computational skills
- A high level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with all employees
- Ability to look beyond the task at hand to see peripheral requirements and make sure these are not overlooked
Preferred
- Bachelor’s or Associate degree in accounting or related field+++
- Experience in ADP or Paylocity systems a plus
- Experience in accounting
- Union payroll experience
- Certified payroll professional
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with a covered disability to perform the essential functions of the position as long as an undue hardship is not imposed.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities
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