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RH
Robert Half
Payroll Specialist
Career Insights for Payroll Specialist (General)
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Based on Tennessee data
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What they do
A Payroll Specialist manages the financial and accounting work involved in processing payroll for a company or organization. Manages employee benefits programs and payroll deductions, or assists with evaluating compensation levels for different job categories and titles.
$49,392 / year median in Tennessee
-5% projected decline
Job Description
We are looking for a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support accurate and timely payroll operations in Memphis, Tennessee. In this role, you will help manage recurring payroll activities, resolve payment-related issues, and ensure employee records are maintained with a high level of accuracy and confidentiality. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll knowledge, a service-focused mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
Responsibilities:
- Manage weekly and semi-monthly payroll activities by reviewing time, pay, and deduction data to confirm accuracy before processing deadlines.
- Perform audit checks before and after payroll runs, correct routine variances, and elevate complex discrepancies that could affect compliance or timeliness.
- Enter and update payroll-related changes such as direct deposit details, tax elections, deductions, employee updates, transfers, and authorized supplemental payments.
- Examine timecards and payroll reports for incomplete or conflicting information and coordinate with managers, employees, Human Resources, and internal partners to secure corrections promptly.
- Address day-to-day payroll inquiries with professionalism, document research and actions taken, and monitor issues through final resolution.
- Support exception processing by handling off-cycle checks, reversals, voids, stop payments, and overpayment reviews in line with approval guidelines.
- Maintain organized payroll files, audit documentation, and tracking records while safeguarding sensitive employee information.
- Apply federal, state, local, and company payroll requirements consistently and report unusual transactions or potential compliance concerns as they arise.
- Contribute to team effectiveness by participating in training, cross-functional support, workload balancing, and improvement efforts that strengthen payroll accuracy and service.
- Identify repeated issues or unclear procedures and recommend practical changes that improve efficiency, consistency, and employee support.