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Payroll Specialist

  • Toronto, ON, Canada
  • Waterloo, ON, Canada
  • Sun Life Waterloo King, Canada

Full-time

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Job details

Job type
Full-time
Apply by
Experience
Minimum of 2+ years HR, Payroll or Accounting experience
Posting language
English
Posted

Original job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do.


At Sun Life, we're driven by our Purpose: helping our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. Our values shape how we work: caring, authentic, bold, inspiring, and impactful.


When you join Sun Life, you'll work with passionate colleagues and empowering leaders who support your growth and celebrate your contributions, so you can make a meaningful difference in our Clients' lives.


Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.


Job Description:


** 15 MONTH CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY **


Reporting to the Payroll Manager, Payroll Operations, the Payroll Specialist will be responsible to process biweekly payroll for 12,500+ Canadian employees. This is a 15-month contract position responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, tax and benefit processing while adhering to the local policies, regulations, and compliance requirements within their mandate. The Payroll Specialist will actively participate in the process improvement, month end and year end processes. This position will also be accountable for assisting in all payroll-related audits, and payroll related inquiries.

What will you do?

  • Process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for 12,500 + Canadian employees ensuring that salaries, bonuses, overtime, deductions, and other adjustments are accurately calculated and paid on time
  • Reconcile payroll data against company records to ensure accuracy and completeness
  • Ensure payroll processing adheres to relevant federal, state, and local tax regulations, including tax calculations, benefit deductions, and statutory filings
  • Maintain database of personnel information and accurate payroll records
  • Prepare Canada year-end employee tax slips or forms and submission of government filings within established deadlines
  • Support all internal and external payroll related reporting requests
  • Participate in all internal and external audits
  • Handle payroll inquiries
  • Perform other duties as required in support of Company objectives

What do you need to succeed?

  • Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
  • Working knowledge of Canada Payroll processes and taxation; knowledge of ADP GlobalView and Workday would be an asset
  • Experience in payroll accounting (general ledger entries, reconciliations, etc.)
  • Able to work in a fast-paced, high-volume setting in our growing company

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources or related field
  • Payroll designation or another formal payroll training would be an asset
  • Minimum of 2+ years HR, Payroll or Accounting experience

What's in it for you?

  • The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with amazing networking potential
  • Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family
  • We’re committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment. Our goal is to make sure all our employees have the chance to live up to their full potential
  • We’re honoured to be recognized as a 2026 Best Workplaces in Ontario by Great Place to Work® Canada
  • We are thrilled to be recognized by Excellence Canada with their top-level certification, the Canada Order of Excellence for Mental Health at Work®, for prioritizing employee well-being, fostering a positive work culture, and achieving excellence in mental health

*LI-NB1



The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.


Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.


Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.


We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.


We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.


We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


Salary Range:

52,500/52 500 - 81,500/81 500

Job Category:

Human Resources

Posting End Date:

08/11/2026
More about this job

Responsibilities

The Payroll Specialist will process end-to-end bi-weekly payroll for over 12,500 Canadian employees while ensuring accuracy in tax calculations and benefit deductions. They will also participate in month-end and year-end processes, assist with payroll audits, and handle internal payroll inquiries.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least 2 years of experience in HR, payroll, or accounting and possess effective organizational and communication skills. A bachelor's degree in business or human resources is required, and a payroll designation is considered an asset.

Skills

  • Payroll processing
  • Taxation
  • Payroll accounting
  • General ledger
  • Reconciliation
  • ADP GlobalView
  • Workday
  • Communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Data entry
  • Compliance
  • Reporting
  • Auditing

Benefits

  • Flexible benefits
  • Networking opportunities
  • Career development
  • Inclusive work environment
  • Mental health support

Visa sponsorship

Not detected in the job text

Categories

  • Human Resources
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Administrative

Keywords

  • Payroll Specialist
  • Payroll Operations
  • Canadian Payroll
  • Taxation
  • ADP GlobalView
  • Workday
  • General Ledger
  • Reconciliations
  • Compliance
  • Audits
  • Human Resources
  • Accounting
  • Bi-weekly payroll
  • Year-end processing
  • Reporting
  • Hybrid work
  • Financial security

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