JOB TITLE
Payroll Specialist
LOCATION
Worcester
DEPARTMENT NAME
Payroll
DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Reporting to Payroll, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for activities related to payroll processing, including data entry with attention to detail, providing customer service to all employees and departments, and responding to all employment verifications. Duties will include verifying employees’ work hours and payment through Workday. The ideal candidate will be a thorough professional with good communication and math skills.
Applicants must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and/or commitment to do so as an employee at WPI.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsibilities:
Deliver front-line human resources support to the WPI community:
1. Greet and guide customers including faculty, staff, students, temporary employees and visitors via in-person, email, and phone exchanges, responding to questions, concerns, and issue resolutions
2. Monitor, research, respond and follow up to customer inquiries in Halo ticketing system; escalate as needed
3. Manage and respond to unemployment cases
4. Prepare and respond to verifications of employment requests through WorkNumber
5. Follow up with employees on missing information including Social Security Number, incomplete onboarding, local address (international address only), missing direct deposit, last or first name, etc.
6. Assist with I-9 processing backup
7. Research issues and make recommendations to resolve payroll discrepancies
8. Reference and follow the payroll/HR policies and procedures to support work and respond to requests from various customers
9. Maintain WPI payroll website including updating FAQ’s as needed
10. Respond to inquiries related to IPAY (ADP) set up and access for terminated employees
Assist with payroll processing and maintenance:
11. Ensure timely entry of all employee timesheets including manager approval
12. Wisely card management for employees without direct deposit
13. Enter and process garnishments and union dues including set up and managing corresponding deduction payments to respective vendors
14. "Process payroll inputs related to leave of absence, tuition reimbursements, vacation payouts, and other related items."
15. Manage on demand process by processing on-demand checks for employees and maintain a database of these transactions.
16. Assist with Workday auditing for payroll processing and reconciliation
17. Calculate and enter the partial accrual for Vacation for terminating employees ahead of final paycheck
18. Monitor rejected direct deposits, inactivate account(s) and communicate with employee about next steps
19. Provide worktags to Accounting for stop payments, dropped direct deposit, rejected direct deposit, stale dated checks, etc.
20. Validate payroll entries for accurateness and appropriateness
Tax and Year-End Processing:
21. Assist with tax treaty entry and renewal processing
22. Adjust employee’s “Work” state and state tax withholding based on flexible work agreement in Workday
23. Process year-end tax document including mailing and maintenance of tax documents, W-2’s and 1042-S forms
24. Assist with responding to tax notices
Requirements
25. High school diploma
26. 1-3 years of experience
27. Familiarity with general accounting principles
28. Experience in data collection, entry and reporting with great attention to detail and confidentiality
29. Exquisite math and numerical skills
30. Outstanding organizational and time management skills
31. Excellent customer service skills and communication abilities with aptitude in problem-solving
Starting pay: $23.80 per hour. WPI’s includes a robust retirement match, wellness perks, tuition assistance and more!
FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.