Payroll Associate

Job Description

Performs day-to-day payroll processing time and attendance support activities to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations. This role is responsible for executing established payroll and timekeeping processes, maintaining payroll data accuracy, supporting employee payroll inquiries, and coordinating with operational administrative personnel. The Payroll Associate operates within defined procedures and internal controls and escalates exceptions, system issues, and non-routine items to the Payroll Supervisor or Payroll Systems Analyst as appropriate.

• Payroll Processing & Time and Attendance Support
• Execute weekly, bi‑weekly, and semi‑monthly payroll processing activities in accordance with established schedules and procedures, including entry, validation, and review of hours, earnings, and payroll adjustments, including the application of standard deductions in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform time and attendance processing activities, including review and validation of time data, leave balances, and exception reports; coordinate corrections with operational administrative personnel and supervisors as needed.
• Assist with preparation of payroll inputs related to bonuses, vacation payouts, leave‑related adjustments, and other non‑routine payroll items in accordance with documented procedures.
• Set up and maintain direct deposit and pay card information in accordance with established procedures; prepare and transmit payroll‑related payment files to financial institutions as assigned, following required approvals and established deadlines.
• Deduction, Garnishment & Compliance
  • Process payroll deductions, including benefits, retirement, uniforms, and other voluntary programs in accordance with established procedures.
  • Assist with garnishment, levy, and child support processing, including data entry, documentation preparation, and coordination of required information; escalated exceptions or discrepancies to the Payroll Supervisor.
  • Process and distribute wage garnishment checks generated by the payroll system, ensuring checks are sent to the appropriate agencies with accurate supporting information and in accordance with established procedures and controls.
  • Support payroll‑related third‑party submissions (e.g., benefits or retirement vendors) and related documentation as assigned, following established controls and approval requirements.
• Data Accuracy, Controls & Documentation
  • Follow established payroll procedures, checklists, and internal controls to ensure payroll accuracy and data integrity.
  • Perform assigned payroll validations and reconciliations and document results in accordance with departmental standards.
  • Maintain payroll records, files, and documentation in compliance with record retention requirements.
• Employee Payroll Support
  • Respond to routine employee payroll inquiries related to pay statements, direct deposit, deductions, and time and attendance matters; research and resolve issues within defined authority.
  • Escalate complex payroll, timekeeping, union‑related, system, or banking inquiries to the Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Systems Analyst, HR, or Finance/Treasury as appropriate.
• Coordination & Escalation
  • Coordinate with operational administrative personnel, supervisors, and payroll team members to resolve time and attendance issues, missing data, and routine payroll discrepancies.
  • Escalate payroll exceptions, system issues, data inconsistencies, and processing constraints to the Payroll Supervisor or Payroll Systems Analyst in accordance with established procedures.
• Reporting & Support
  • Run routine reports from payroll, timekeeping, or business intelligence systems, as required.
  • Support payroll reconciliations and assist in preparation for audits by gathering documentation and reports.
  • Perform filing and record retention activities in accordance with departmental procedures.

• Customer Service:
  Provides accurate, timely and professional payroll support to employees and internal departments.
• Professionalism:
  Maintains confidentiality, attention‑to‑detail, and adherence to established procedures.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Identifies…