Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist (Permanent)

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join a well-established organization downtown Toronto on a permanent basis. This role is ideal for a payroll professional with strong payroll compliance expertise, advanced UKG experience, a collaborative mindset, and proven front-facing customer service skills focused on delivering a positive employee experience.

Compensation: $96,000 – $116,000

Key Responsibilities

• Audit and process employee transactions including new hires, terminations, retirements, leaves (including parental and short-term disability), vacation payouts, one-time payments, salary increases, retroactive adjustments, taxable benefits, garnishments, and other payments and deductions.

• Manage and administer full bi-weekly payroll for 400+ employees using UKG Pro, ensuring a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Perform accurate pay calculations for compensation changes including retroactive pay, one-time payouts, taxable benefits, and leaves of absence.

• Manage off-cycle payrolls as required.

• Administer pension contributions and related reporting for all employee statuses.

• Process overpayments and personal reimbursements through payroll, including appropriate general ledger updates.

• Administer bi-weekly pension payroll for a small legacy defined benefit plan, including balancing and internal control reporting.

• Process bi-weekly payments for board/committee members based on financial system inputs.

• Complete bi-weekly, quarterly, and annual payroll balancing and internal control reports.

• Transmit payroll and remit all statutory payroll deductions.

• Manage payroll transmission to the bank and finalize general ledger integrations.

• Prepare and file Records of Employment (ROEs), ensuring accuracy and completeness.

• Review and correct CPP and EI discrepancies using quarterly and year-end reporting tools.

• Complete T4 and T4A tax reporting processes, including balancing, filing, distribution, and follow-up inquiries.

• Manage quarterly and annual pension reporting requirements, including statutory filings.

• Conduct regular payroll, pension, and taxable benefit audits to ensure data integrity.

• Collaborate with Finance, HR, and IT teams to implement payroll changes, resolve discrepancies, and improve workflows and system integrations.

• Investigate payroll discrepancies, identify root causes, and recommend effective solutions.

• Ensure compliance with all payroll-related legislation, policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as a front-facing point of contact for payroll and taxable benefit inquiries, responding professionally and in plain language.

• Perform additional payroll, pension, and administrative duties as required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary certificate or degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.

• PCP designation.

• Minimum five (5) years of full-cycle payroll experience in a mid-sized organization.

• Strong technical knowledge of Canadian payroll and pension compliance requirements.

• Advanced experience with UKG.

• Experience collaborating with Finance, HR, and IT teams on payroll processes and system improvements.

• Proven ability to prioritize competing deadlines and deliver accurate results.

• Demonstrated expertise in complex payroll calculations, including retroactive adjustments.

• Exceptional attention to detail and strong analytical skills.

• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

• Experience in a front-facing payroll role with a strong customer service orientation.

• Solid knowledge of Ontario payroll legislation including ESA and Income Tax Act.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information.

• Proficiency in MS Office (particularly Excel) and payroll reporting tools.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.

Additional Information

• Hybrid work model (one day per week in-office; additional days as required).

INDCAP

RF 51132

Portfolio are acting on behalf of our client in recruiting for this position. To the best of our knowledge, this vacancy is for a new or existing role within their organization.