Payroll Specialist Multi-Client / PEO Experience

Job Description About the Role We're looking for a detail-driven Payroll Specialist to join our Quality Payroll & Benefits team. As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), we manage payroll for a diverse book of client companies across multiple states, which means no two days look quite the same. You'll be the person making sure thousands of worksite employees are paid accurately and on time, every time, and you'll be a trusted resource for clients navigating the complexities of multi-state payroll. What Success Looks Like In this role, success means payrolls run cleanly and on schedule, clients trust you with their toughest questions, and compliance issues are caught before they become problems. Within your first 90 days, you'll be independently processing your assigned client book. Within six months, you'll be confidently handling complex scenarios such as multi-state taxation, garnishments, retro adjustments and contributing ideas that make the team better. How This Role Fits In You'll report to the Payroll Manager and work alongside a collaborative team of payroll and benefits professionals. You'll partner closely with our Benefits, HR, and Implementation teams to deliver a seamless experience to clients. This role is foundational to our service promise... when payroll runs smoothly, everything else follows. Responsibilities Process accurate, on-time payrolls for an assigned book of multi-state clients, including regular, off-cycle, bonus, and final pay runs Calculate wages, overtime, commissions, retroactive pay, and PTO accruals in accordance with FLSA and applicable state wage laws Administer payroll deductions including taxes, benefit premiums, 401(k) contributions, garnishments, and child support orders Reconcile payroll registers and resolve discrepancies prior to funding and transmission Process federal, state, and local payroll tax deposits and filings (941, 940, state withholding, SUTA), and prepare year-end forms (W-2, W-2c, 1099) Maintain accurate employee records, including new hires, terminations, status changes, direct deposit, and tax withholding updates Respond to client and worksite employee inquiries regarding paychecks, deductions, and PTO balances within established service-level timeframes Partner with the Benefits team on deduction setup, qualifying life events, and reconciliation of benefit-related payroll items Support workers' compensation, 401(k), and client-requested audits with documentation and reporting Stay current on multi-state payroll tax law changes, minimum wage updates, and PEO-specific compliance requirements Identify and recommend process improvements that reduce errors and elevate the client experience Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive employee and client data Qualifications Required 2+ years of full-cycle payroll processing experience Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax laws, wage and hour regulations, and federal compliance requirements Proficiency with payroll software and Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, formulas) Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex payroll concepts to non-payroll audiences Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced, client-service environment High school diploma or equivalent Preferred Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Human Resources, or a related field Prior experience in a PEO, payroll service bureau, or multi-client environment Experience processing payroll across 10+ states Familiarity with Microsoft Teams and modern HRIS/payroll platforms What We Offer Comprehensive health, HSA, dental, and vision benefits 401(k) with company match Paid time off and paid holidays Professional development support, including FPC/CPP exam reimbursement A collaborative team that genuinely enjoys working together