Payroll Specialist

Job Title: Payroll Specialist Job Description
The Payroll Specialist serves as a key member of the Finance Team in a full-time, exempt role, responsible for end-to-end payroll processing for a workforce of approximately 400 hourly and salaried employees on a bi-weekly schedule. This position ensures payroll is processed accurately and on time, supports payroll accounting and tax compliance, and provides responsive support to team members and leaders across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Process bi-weekly payroll for approximately 400 hourly and salaried employees, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Verify and approve payroll-related actions and inputs submitted by managers to ensure completeness and proper authorization for payroll processing.
- Collaborate with all levels of the organization to assist with payroll-related tasks and provide guidance on payroll procedures.
- Perform payroll reconciliations and related payroll accounting activities to ensure accurate recording of payroll transactions.
- Manage payroll tax responsibilities, including calculations, withholdings, and compliance with applicable regulations.
- Run standard and custom payroll reports to support finance, audit, and management information needs.
- Conduct account analysis for assigned accounts, including researching transactions, identifying discrepancies, and resolving payroll-related issues.
- Manage quarterly and annual payroll-related tax returns, ensuring timely and accurate filings.
- Support the annual external audit by providing payroll data, documentation, and explanations as needed, while maintaining strong internal financial controls.
- Review, research, and respond to team member questions and concerns regarding pay issues in a timely and professional manner.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll processes and controls within the Finance Team.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of payroll processing experience, including responsibility for both hourly and salaried employees.
- Proven experience managing bi-weekly payroll cycles for a mid-sized employee population.
- Hands-on experience with payroll tax processes, including calculations, withholdings, and filings.
- Ability to perform payroll reconciliations and payroll-related account analysis with strong attention to detail.
- Experience running and interpreting standard and custom payroll reports.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters clearly to employees and leaders at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative finance team.
- Solid problem-solving skills, particularly in researching and resolving payroll and account discrepancies.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience using UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) payroll systems.
- Prior experience processing payroll for a manufacturing company or similar environment.
- Familiarity with supporting external audits and maintaining internal financial controls.
- Comfort working with a variety of stakeholders across the organization on payroll-related issues.
Work Environment
This role is based onsite in Willoughby within the Finance Department, working as part of a close-knit team of approximately eight people. The position offers flexibility with working hours while maintaining the bi-weekly payroll schedule and key deadlines. The work environment is collaborative and detail-oriented, with regular interaction across departments to support payroll processing, accounting, tax compliance, and audit activities.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Willoughby, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $44.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Willoughby, OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Willoughby,OH.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.