Payroll SpeciaIist III

The Judge Group•Town of Marion, NY

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist III -is a senior‑level payroll professional responsible for processing complex, high‑volume payrolls with a high degree of accuracy and compliance. This role supports multi‑state payroll operations within a staffing agency environment, ensuring timely and accurate payment for contractors and internal employees. The Payroll Specialist III serves as a subject‑matter expert, resolves escalated payroll issues, supports audits and compliance efforts, and partners closely with Payroll Leadership, HR, Finance, and Client Services.

Requirements

Minimum of 5+ years of progressive payroll experience, preferably within a staffing agency or high‑volume payroll environment
Demonstrated experience processing multi‑state payroll with a strong understanding of payroll compliance requirements
Hands‑on experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, UKG, Workday, Paychex, or similar platforms)
Strong working knowledge of wage garnishments, tax withholdings, and payroll regulations
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including lookups, reconciliations, and data analysis)
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to independently resolve complex payroll issues
Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

Nice To Haves

Workday experience
Experience supporting payroll for contractors, consultants, or temporary employees
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
Experience partnering with payroll tax teams or supporting payroll tax filings and reconciliations
Prior involvement in payroll audits or system implementations

Responsibilities

Process weekly, bi‑weekly, and/or special payrolls for a large population of W‑2 and/or 1099 contractors and internal employees across multiple states
Review and validate time entry, pay rates, commissions, bonuses, adjustments, and retroactive payments
Manage complex payroll transactions including off‑cycle payments, corrections, stop payments, reversals, and reissues
Administer wage garnishments, tax levies, child support orders, and other court‑ordered deductions
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, and staffing‑specific pay requirements
Partner with Tax, HR, and Finance teams to research and resolve payroll discrepancies and compliance issues
Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll inquiries from employees, contractors, internal stakeholders, and clients
Support payroll audits (internal and external) by preparing documentation and responding to audit requests
Assist with onboarding and termination payroll activities, including final pay calculations and compliance requirements
Review payroll reports for accuracy, identify trends or issues, and recommend process improvements
Maintain confidentiality and data integrity of payroll and employee information
Provide guidance and informal mentoring to Payroll Specialist I and II team members as needed
Participate in payroll system enhancements, testing, and implementation of new processes or tools