Payroll Specialist

We are a large, esteemed healthcare organization dedicated to advancing medical research and supporting our communities. With a commitment to our employees and the communities we serve, we foster a dynamic and supportive environment where our team members can thrive. We are proud to support thousands of dedicated healthcare professionals across multiple states.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Payroll Specialist to join our finance team in Chicago. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll for over 1,000 employees across multiple states. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of payroll best practices, a keen eye for detail, and a proven ability to manage complex payroll functions within a large organization.

Payroll Specialist Key Responsibilities:

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or weekly payroll for over 1,000 employees across multiple states, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage and process various payroll components including salaries, wages, bonuses, commissions, benefits deductions, and other payroll adjustments.
• Administer and process all types of garnishments, including child support, tax levies, and other court-ordered deductions.
• Ensure accurate calculation and timely submission of all payroll taxes, including federal, state, and local income taxes, FICA, and unemployment taxes.
• Reconcile payroll accounts and general ledger entries, identifying and resolving any discrepancies promptly.
• Prepare and generate various payroll reports for management, finance, and auditing purposes (e.g., payroll summaries, tax reports, benefit reports).
• Respond to and resolve employee payroll inquiries in a professional and timely manner, providing clear and accurate information.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and employee data, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Stay current with payroll laws and regulations, recommending and implementing necessary changes to maintain compliance.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Benefits, and Finance departments to ensure seamless information flow and process efficiency.

Payroll Specialist Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 3+ years of progressive experience in payroll processing for a large organization (1,000+ employees).
• Demonstrated expertise with at least one major payroll system: ADP (Workforce Now preferred), Workday Payroll, or UKG (UltiPro).
• Strong understanding of multi-state payroll processing and associated tax regulations.
• Proven experience handling various types of garnishments.
• In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and reporting requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., VLOOKUPs, pivot tables) for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll information clearly.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the healthcare industry.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.

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