Payroll Specialist

Your role: 

Reporting to the Payroll Supervisor, the Payroll Specialist plays a key role in overseeing the day-to-day operational and financial activities related to global payroll processing and maintenance, with a primary focus on Canada. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll across multiple jurisdictions, as well as the financial administration and reconciliation of global employee benefit programs, while supporting reporting, audits, and continuous process improvements. This is an exciting development opportunity for an individual with experience working on Canadian payroll, but has the desire to understand global payrolls at a growing company.

Your responsibilities: 

• Manage full cycle payroll processing for 1,000+ Canadian employees
• Support when required on global payroll processing for US, UK, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Australia
• Review and validate payroll input prepared by the Payroll Coordinator, ensuring all relevant information is obtained from Human Resources and other internal teams in a timely manner
• Coordinate payroll review processes with Payroll Supervisor, proactively addressing discrepancies and resolving queries to ensure payroll is finalized and submitted on schedule
• Perform detailed payroll reconciliations, prepare and review journal entries, including accruals, adjustments, benefit related accounting entries
• Manage pension and benefits related activities, including submissions of pension contributions, reconciliations, and invoice validation
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of payroll and benefits records by identifying, investigating, and resolving discrepancies across multiple systems and jurisdictions
• Coordinate Canadian year-end reporting activities, including T4 issuance and other statutory filings (EHT and WCB), ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory deadlines
• Support leave of absence and statutory payment calculations, ensuring compliance with applicable employment standards, internal policies, and legislation
• Act as primary escalation points for payroll related inquiries from employees, Human Resources, Finance, and other internal stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution of complex issues
• Lead compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives across multiple jurisdictions by ensuring adherence to payroll legislation and regulatory requirements
• Maintain confidentiality of all payroll information and documents at all times
• Contribute to process improvement and automation initiatives, including workflow optimization, system enhancements, and efficiency projects
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, reconciling data, and responding to audit queries in a timely and accurate manner
• Participate in ad hoc payroll and HR projects, providing subject matter expertise and supporting implementation of new HRIS and payroll systems
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned

About You:

• Minimum 2 years of full cycle payroll processing with strong knowledge of Canadian payroll regulation including multi-province payroll processing experience
• Knowledge of UK, Swiss, Swedish or Australian payroll not required, but would be an asset
• Experience in a growing, technology driven environment considered an asset
• Strong knowledge of statutory payroll regulations and compliance requirements A
• Diploma or degree in Business Administration or a related field, with some accounting coursework; Canadian Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) certification preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and Word
• High level of accuracy with numbers and strong attention to detail
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information
• Strong organizational, self-management, and adaptability skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage a dynamic workload in a fast-paced environment
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership in meeting deadlines
• Strong ability to write clearly, concise, and professional business communications
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team with minimal supervision
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Familiarity with BambooHR and Payworks is an asset
• Familiarity with NetSuite and other cloud-based accounting applications is an asset

Working conditions: 

• The Payroll Specialist role may require overtime when there are impending deadlines