Payroll Operations Specialist Department: Finance Reports To: Controller (Finance) Dotted Line: Vice President, Human Resources FLSA Status: Exempt or Non-Exempt (based on role scope) Key Partnerships: Human Resources, Accounting, External Payroll Vendors Location: Blythewood, South Carolina (Columbia South Carolina area) Position Summary The Payroll Operations Specialist is a Finance-based role responsible for the accurate execution of payroll, financial reconciliation, and compliance with regulatory and accounting requirements. This role maintains a strong dotted-line relationship to Human Resources to ensure alignment of employee data, payroll-impacting transactions, and employee experience, while upholding financial controls and reporting integrity. Payroll Administration Financial Management •End-to-end ownership of payroll processing, including all earnings types (standard, variable) •Validate all payroll-impacting transactions in partnership with HR •Maintain compliance with wage and hour laws, payroll regulations, and internal policies •Perform tasks related to funding, accruals, and reconciliations •Prepare payroll journal entries and support close activities •Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies •Oversee payroll taxes, garnishments, and deductions •Coordinate 401(k) funding and reconciliation Financial Reporting Controls •Prepare payroll accruals and support financial close timelines •Ensure strong internal controls aligned with compliance requirements •Support internal and external audits •Maintain data integrity across systems •Provide reporting for forecasting and workforce planning HR Systems Operational Alignment •Maintain accurate employee data across HRIS and payroll systems •Partner with HR to align data and transactions •Support lifecycle transactions (hire, change, LOA, termination) •Support onboarding and offboarding from payroll perspective •Manage system access provisioning and removal •Maintain SOP documentation Stakeholder Support Continuous Improvement •Serve as primary contact for payroll inquiries •Act as liaison between Finance, HR, and vendors •Identify process improvements •Support cross-functional initiatives Qualifications - Required •Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Accounting, or related field •3-5 years payroll experience •Experience with ADP •Knowledge of multi-state payroll and compliance •Experience with reconciliations and audits •Proficiency in payroll systems and Excel •Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Qualifications - Preferred •Experience in SOX environment •Advanced Excel skills •Fidelity PSW experience •Experience in multi-entity organizations Core Competencies •Financial accuracy and controls mindset •Cross-functional collaboration •Analytical and problem-solving ability •Clear communication •Continuous improvement