Payroll Specialist

Description We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join a collaborative payroll team in Sarasota, Florida. This contract opportunity has the potential to become permanent, is fully onsite, and supports large-scale, multi-state payroll operations for a workforce of more than 1,300 employees. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll processing experience, sharp attention to detail, and the ability to manage recurring deadlines in a fast-moving environment while providing dependable support to employees and internal partners.

Responsibilities:

• Process payroll information for assigned employee groups and maintain accurate payroll records across multiple locations.
• Review payroll transactions to verify correct wages, deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings before final processing.
• Support weekly payroll cycles by meeting established deadlines in a high-volume environment with consistent accuracy.
• Work with human resources, supervisors, and site leadership to research and resolve payroll questions, discrepancies, and employee concerns.
• Update and reconcile employee deductions such as benefits, garnishments, meal-related charges, merchandise purchases, and other payroll adjustments.
• Monitor outstanding deduction balances, investigate arrears, and complete reconciliations to keep employee records current.
• Generate payroll reports from internal systems and use Excel to sort, analyze, and validate data for review and reconciliation.
• Examine daily payroll activity and compare updates to identify errors, inconsistencies, or eligibility-related issues.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries, explain applicable payroll policies, and conduct research to support issue resolution.
• Contribute to payroll-related initiatives, process enhancements, and system update efforts as needed. Requirements
• At least 5 years of experience handling high-volume, multi-state payroll processing.
• Proven background in full-cycle payroll for large employee populations, ideally exceeding 500 employees.
• Hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with timekeeping systems such as eTime and HRIS platforms such as Workday.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including exporting reports, filtering, sorting, and using VLOOKUP functions.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage confidential information responsibly.
• Ability to work independently, stay organized, and perform effectively in a fast-paced setting with recurring deadlines.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills for supporting employees and collaborating with internal teams.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking "," you're agreeing to Robert Half's Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .