A large midtown Manhattan international law firm which provides a wide variety of legal services to clients around the world is looking for a payroll specialist.

The Payroll Specialist will work with the payroll team to ensure that the payroll for Firm employees is processed in an accurate, compliant, and timely manner utilizing technological solutions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare and process payroll in an accurate, compliant, and timely manner
• Process special transactions (e.g. retroactive pay, mid-period increases, and garnishments)
• Load import files from multiple departments as it pertains to payroll changes
• Track timesheet entries for eligible employees to ensure timely payments
• Update payroll records by reviewing changes in tax exemptions, direct deposit information, and other applicable data
• Understand and continually keep abreast of the current tax requirements, including state and federal tax withholdings
• Preserve documentation to support payroll transactions and ensure that approved transactions are processed; follow up on missing items to ensure compliance
• Research, analyze and resolve payroll discrepancies
• Review payroll entries of the other Payroll Specialists
• Generate reports for accounting, human resources, and other departments to use for analytics
• Assist the Global Payroll Manager in the centralization of payroll for the international offices
• File payroll reports and documentation ensuring it can be easily retrieved for review and audit
• Suggest improvements and enhancements to payroll policies and procedures
• Provide backup support during staff absences
• Utilize MS Excel to enter and format numerical data using formulas that can be cross-checked by the Global Payroll Manager; and create and save such worksheets, charts, and graphs
• Maintain employee confidence and protects payroll operations by keeping information confidential
• Support the Global Payroll Manager in resolving any issues of payroll production
• Respond to inquiries from managers and team members in a timely manner

• Bachelors degree required
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience
• Knowledge of international payroll calculation, processing, accounting principles and practices preferred
• Work well in a fast-paced environment while prioritizing varied workloads to meet different deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with lawyers, professional level staff, and peers
• Passionate about improving processes and developing innovative solutions
• Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Office, and ADP required. Experience with Oracle Fusion and ADP Streamline a plus
• General knowledge of employee benefits and employment practices preferred. Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, overtime laws, leave of absence laws, 401K, and Worker's Compensation, as it applies to payroll administration, a plus
• Willingness to work collaboratively as a member of a team with a positive attitude
• Complete simultaneous projects with minimal supervision
• Understanding of appropriate allocation of work and good prioritization skills
• High level of attention to detail and meticulous follow through with a high level of client service
• Flexibility to adjust work schedule according to workload demands, and evolve with position as required
• Ability to speak French a plus