Payroll Specialist

Position Overview:

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for processing both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation. This role requires strong attention to detail, excellent analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will work closely with Human Resources, Finance, managers, and employees to resolve payroll issues, maintain accurate payroll records, and support payroll reporting and year-end activities.

What our client offers:

• Competitive compensation of $80,000-$90,000 annually
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Collaborative Finance and HR environment
• Opportunity to contribute to payroll process improvements within a growing organization

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Processing

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll for employees across multiple Canadian provinces.
• Review and validate payroll inputs, including hours worked, overtime, bonuses, commissions, vacation, statutory holidays, leaves, deductions, and other earnings.
• Process new hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, salary changes, and other employee status changes.
• Review payroll calculations and reconcile payroll reports prior to final submission.
• Ensure payroll deadlines and processing schedules are consistently met.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.
• Maintain working knowledge of provincial requirements relating to payroll taxes, statutory deductions, vacation pay, statutory holidays, leaves, and termination payments.
• Ensure appropriate payroll deductions and remittances are calculated and processed accurately.
• Monitor changes to payroll legislation and communicate relevant changes to Payroll, HR, and Finance leadership.

Payroll Reconciliation & Reporting

• Reconcile payroll registers, general ledger accounts, payroll deductions, benefits, and other payroll-related accounts.
• Prepare payroll reports and analysis for Finance and management.
• Assist with monthly and year-end payroll reconciliations.
• Support the preparation of T4s, T4As, RL-1s and other year-end payroll reporting, as applicable.
• Assist with payroll audits and provide supporting documentation as required.
• Identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities to improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.

Benefits, Deductions & Employee Changes

• Administer payroll-related benefits, pension contributions, RRSPs, garnishments, and other deductions.
• Ensure employee changes are accurately reflected in payroll and HR systems.
• Work with HR and benefits providers to resolve discrepancies.
• Respond professionally and confidentially to employee payroll inquiries.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressive Canadian payroll experience
• Experience processing both bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll.
• Experience processing payroll for employees across multiple Canadian provinces.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and statutory requirements.
• Experience with payroll/HRIS systems such as ADP, Ceridian/Dayforce, UKG, Workday, Ceridian, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of payroll reconciliations and payroll-related accounting.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll deadlines and priorities.