Responsibilities

Payroll Specialist

We are seeking a bright, creative, goal-oriented, high energy and hardworking individual to fill our Payroll Specialist position. Candidates should be self-starters with a strong work ethic and the ability to prioritize their workload to ensure timely issue resolution. While reporting to the Payroll Director, the person in this position will work alongside with other Payroll Specialist(s) on daily payroll issues, bi-weekly payroll process, and the quarterly, and year-end payroll process while ensuring compliance to all applicable federal and state regulations.

Supervises: No direct reports

Compensation: Exempt. Not eligible for overtime

Reports to: Payroll Director

Essential Job Functions:
Responsible for the accurate and timely completion of full cycle payrolls for 2,000+ associates which includes the processing of: leave of absence payments, retroactive payments, commissions, bonuses, garnishments, adjustments and terminations.
Upload payroll imports/EIBs into Workday.
Update, audit and maintain payroll records to ensure accuracy of data.
Communicate to managers, employees and co-workers on payroll-related issues, company policies and procedures.
Monitor payroll inbox and provide associate assistance in a timely manner to ensure quality customer service.
Assist in generating reports for finance, human resources and third-party vendors
Coordinate with the Senior Payroll Specialist to perform payroll related reconciliations
Review and discuss issues with the Payroll Director; recognizing when an issue must be escalated to another area for resolution
Other tasks as assigned

Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business or 5 years of progressive experience in automated payroll processing
Knowledge of state and federal wage and state tax laws and overtime requirements
Experience utilizing payroll & timekeeping systems required
Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook, VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables)
Working knowledge of general payroll protocols
Ability to take initiative and ownership of multiple projects to timely completion and work well under time pressure
Detail oriented with solid organizational and analytical skills
Strong interpersonal, written and oral communications skills
Self-starter and ability to think outside the box

Essex offers a comprehensive benefits package that reflects how much we value our associates and their families:For regular full-time associates regularly scheduled to work at least thirty (30) hours per week:• Medical, Dental, Pre-tax flex plan, Basic life insurance, Supplemental life, Short- and long-term disability, Accidental death insurance plans.For part-time and full-time associates:• Employer-matching 401(k) plan that offers financial planning and independent brokerage services.• Wellness Program, 24-hour Employee Assistance, Service awards and Paid time-off.