Payroll Specialist

Responsibilities

Kforce's client, an industry‑leading manufacturing business located in Boston, MA, is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage end‑to‑end payroll processes, ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, and support HR and accounting functions.

• Manage the full payroll cycle: collect and validate timecards, resolve exceptions, obtain approvals, and process payroll runs.
• Maintain time and attendance workflows (PTO, sick, overtime rules), ensuring compliance with FLSA and state laws.
• Set up new hires, transfers, and terminations; calculate final pay, retro pay, bonuses, commissions, and special pay types.
• Administer deductions and earnings (benefits, 401(k), HSA, commuter), wage garnishments, child support, and tax levies.
• Conduct pre‑ and post‑processing audits, resolve discrepancies, and ensure accurate payroll release.
• Reconcile payroll to the general ledger, prepare and post journal entries, and collaborate with accounting on period‑end close.
• Maintain tax compliance, support multi‑state withholding and unemployment, and manage year‑end activities (W2/W2c).
• Utilize ADP Workforce Now (or similar HRIS/payroll systems) to build and run recurring and ad‑hoc reports.
• Document standard operating procedures, monitor control points, and recommend automation and workflow improvements.
• Prepare and file workers' compensation forms, track incidents, and support return‑to‑work documentation.
• Assist HR with employment verifications, policy acknowledgements, leave tracking (FMLA/PFML, STD/LTD), and onboarding/offboarding.
• Support audits, respond to employee payroll inquiries, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive data.
• Participate in system upgrades, data cleanups, and integrations.
• Provide backup coverage for HR/payroll teammates and take on special assignments as needed.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or a related field preferred; FPC/CPP certification a plus.
• 5‑10 years of progressive payroll experience, including full‑cycle processing and multi‑state compliance (7+ years preferred).
• Strong experience with ADP Workforce Now (or similar payroll systems) is strongly preferred.
• Intermediate Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, report building, and GL reconciliation.
• Knowledge of FLSA, wage & hour, tax withholding/unemployment, garnishments/levies, and year‑end activities.
• High attention to detail, deadline‑driven, strong problem‑solving skills, excellent communication, and a customer‑service mindset.
• Workers' compensation experience is a plus but not required.

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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