Payroll Specialist

Job Description We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist with 3 to 5 years of payroll and timekeeping experience to join a dynamic accounting team in a secure government-contracting environment. You will manage monthly payroll processing for full-time and part-time employees, oversee labor distributions, and ensure strict timekeeping compliance with government regulations. This role requires hands-on experience with Deltek Costpoint and Paycor, strong knowledge of DCAA guidelines and multi-state payroll taxation, and a high level of discretion when handling sensitive or classified information. Responsibilities

- Review employee timesheets twice a month to ensure accuracy and strict compliance with DCAA guidelines and internal company policies.
- Track, calculate, and process labor adjustments as needed to maintain accurate labor distributions.
- Onboard new employees, process terminations, and update employee information in Paycor to keep payroll records current and accurate.
- Administer and process monthly payroll for full-time and part-time employees, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
- Perform monthly payroll reconciliations for all payroll runs to verify completeness and accuracy of data.
- Calculate monthly Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and housing payments for PCS employees located in the UK and Australia.
- Support internal and external audits by preparing accurate labor distribution reports and payroll tax documentation.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve payroll and timekeeping issues in a timely and professional manner.
- Utilize Excel, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables, to perform data reconciliation and verify payroll and labor data.
- Participate in special projects as needed, contributing payroll and timekeeping expertise to support broader organizational initiatives.

Essential Skills

- 3 to 5 years of professional payroll processing and timekeeping experience, preferably within the defense contracting industry.
- 3 to 5 years of corporate or government payroll experience.
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain a CI Polygraph while employed.
- Direct, hands-on experience using Deltek Costpoint Time & Expense and Labor modules.
- Direct, hands-on experience using Paycor payroll software.
- Solid understanding of DCAA labor compliance standards.
- Strong knowledge of FLSA regulations.
- Experience with multi-state payroll taxation.
- Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables, for data reconciliation.
- Demonstrated experience in timekeeping and T&E (Time & Expense) processes.
- High level of discretion when handling sensitive or classified personnel data.
- Exceptional attention to detail, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain strict compliance in a secure government-contracting environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Fairfax, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $85000.00 - $105000.00/yr. 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. Individual Benefits Account (IBA)

Zeta contributes an amount equivalent to 25% of your annual salary to an Individual Benefits Account (IBA). This account is used to help cover the costs of Health Benefits and Paid Time Off. The plan offers employees the flexibility to choose how they spend the money based off their own individual/family needs. The IBA can be used to pay for the following:

Medical, Dental and Vision, and supplemental insurance premiums
Medical, dental, eye care, prescription costs, and co-pays not covered by insurance
Childcare reimbursement
Time Off with Pay (TOWP)

Any balance remaining as of December 31 in one year and not used will be paid out in the January paycheck of the following year as income.

Time Off With Pay (TOWP)
Zeta encourages employees to take time off during the year for rest, recreation, and family purposes. Zeta offers all full-time employees 8 weeks (320 hours) of paid time off per year. This is all-inclusive of vacation, holidays, and sick leave. The company does not have mandatory leave or holiday policy. TOWP is a taxable deduction from the IBA.

401K
Zeta contributes an amount equivalent to 25% of your annual salary to all full-time employees retirement accounts. There is no waiting period, and employees are 100% vested immediately.

Total Compensation Example
A Zeta employees base salary is $100,000; total compensation is $150,000 due to the 25% contributions to both the 401K ($25,000) and IBA ($25,000).
________________

Additional Zeta Benefits

Basic Life - 100% paid by Zeta
Basic Short Term and Long Term Disability - 100% paid by Zeta
Identity Theft Insurance 100% paid by Zeta
Secure Travel 100% paid by Zeta
Health Advocate 100% paid by Zeta
Cancer Indemnity Insurance - 50% paid by Zeta
Accident Protection
Legal Services
Supplemental Long Term Disability
Supplemental Voluntary Life
Child Life Insurance

Tuition/Certification Reimbursement

Zeta offers full-time employees 100% tuition and books reimbursement for Bachelors/Masters/PhD degrees. The programs must be relevant to your work. Zetas pays 100% costs of Certifications that are relevant to your work.

Benefits Update: (Be sure to share with candidates, these are great updates)
Starting in January 2027, here are a few additions
o Anyone making under $150K in salary will have their medical premiums fully covered by Zeta (whether you file as single/married/family, whatever). Your IBA will remain the same so you will likely have more money available at end of year
o Current Zeta HSA annual contributions will be upped
File as Single: $750 now, will be $1,250
Married/Family: $1,500 now, will be $2,000
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Fairfax, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Fairfax,VA.

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.