Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist

The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and teacher certification. Graduates from its two performance training programs, The Glenn Gould School and The Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, regularly perform on major international stages. The RCM is also a leader in the development of early childhood education programs and arts-based social programs, and presents a diverse range of concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance space, Koerner Hall. Please visit www.rcmusic.com for more information.

What is the Opportunity?

Reporting to the Controller, the Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for the processing of all 3 payrolls at the RCM (administration/salary, part-time hourly, and faculty payrolls). This includes being accountable for audit, accuracy and processing in partnership with ADP Workforce Now for all 3 payrolls, and act as the RCM’s subject matter expert for all payroll-related matters. The position acts as the primary liaison between Finance, Human Resources, and the third-party payroll provider responsible for the Administration and Part-Time Hourly payrolls, including the coordination of benefits premiums applicable to full-time staff.

The Senior Payroll and Benefits Specialist ensures compliance with payroll legislation, collective agreements, institutional policies, and statutory reporting requirements. The role is responsible for payroll accounting activities, including reconciliations, journal entries, remittances, audit support, benefits administration, and continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls. This includes maintaining records for audit purposes, preparing journal entries, and reconciling general ledger accounts for processed payroll and paid benefits.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for processing the monthly faculty payroll accurately and in a timely manner with payments transmitted by the 15th of each month.
• Serve as the primary finance contact and subject matter expert for the Salaried Administration and Part-Time Hourly payrolls administered with an external third party provider, ensuring the completeness, accuracy, reconciliation and timely exchange of payroll information between all parties, including information gathering and turnover between RCM and the third party.
• Maintain and strengthen payroll internal controls, identifying risks and recommending process improvements to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, collective agreements, policies, and audit requirements.
• Ensure proper preparation including providing reconciled supporting information of remittances due to statutory bodies for deductions and initiating payments of deductions to unions and other stakeholders.
• Responsible for statutory reporting, including preparation of T4s, ROEs, WSIB remittances, and other reconciliations.
• Updates the payroll system with any payroll related contractual changes, or other required changes for the faculty payroll (e.g. Collective Bargaining Agreements).
• Prepare and review payroll-related journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules to ensure payroll transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger and reflected in financial reporting for all three payrolls.
• Administer employee benefit programs for eligible staff, including enrollment changes, reconciliations, reporting, and coordination with benefit providers. Identify and resolve discrepancies between payroll records, benefit deductions, and vendor invoices.
• Act as administrative support to annual external financial audits and other audits as they arise, including the handling of confidential support documents.
• Monitor service delivery and data accuracy of the third-party payroll provider, escalating issues and coordinating resolution as required. Provide professional guidance and support to employees, managers, Human Resources, and other stakeholders regarding payroll policies, processes, deductions, benefits, and legislative requirements.
• Work closely with Human Resources (HR) team to ensure the timely processing of change requests, including new hires, temporary staff, transfers, promotions, leaves of absence, and terminations with regards to all three payrolls.
• Maintain employee confidentiality by ensuring the safeguarding of payroll records and data and governing system user access with the assistance of the IT department or third party payroll provider, ADP Workforce Now.
• Troubleshoot payroll or pay system concerns to resolution, implementing corrective actions as needed to prevent issues from recurring. Identify and implement opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, system utilization, efficiency, accuracy, and documentation while supporting organizational process improvement initiatives.
• Respond to queries from internal/external stakeholders.
• Stay current and up to date on regulatory developments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Post-secondary diploma in an accounting or payroll related field, with at least 5 years of accounting and payroll administration and processing experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Completed Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification preferred, or at minimum actively working towards obtaining designation.
• Experience required with:
  • ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll platform
  • Unionized environments
  • Hourly/variable type compensation
  • Financial analysis, process improvements
  • Payroll accounting, account reconciliation and month-end processes
• Demonstrated payroll subject matter knowledge and expertise.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, complex formulas, lookups, reconciliation analysis and data validation are required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Problem solving and critical thinking.
• Process improvement mindset.
• Able to work well independently as well as in a team.
• Proven ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Quality driven and detail oriented.
• High level of numerical accuracy, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Disciplined in executing responsibilities to completion.
• Ability to handle pressure and able to work in a very busy office environment.

Salary Range

• $72,000 - $80,000 per annum

Additional Information

• Standard office environment with occasional requirements to work outside of regular office hours.
• Hybrid work arrangement, working on site at least 2 days a week at the RCM building in Toronto, Ontario, inclusive of all staff Community Days.
• Tight deadlines.
• Working with confidential issues and data.
• Extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• This opportunity is for an upcoming vacancy this year.
• AI Disclosure: AI is not being used to screen, assess or select applicants.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and current résumé online (please upload a single file combining both documents) at www.rcmusic.com/about-us/careers-royal-conservatory. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has been identified.

The RCM thanks all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The RCM is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the RCM’s Human Rights, Inclusion and Equity Policy, accommodation will be provided at any stage of in the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known when they have been contacted for an interview.