Payroll Specialist

LSAC’s mission is to advance law and justice by promoting access, equity, and fairness in law school admission and supporting the learning journey from prelaw through practice. 

Pay rate: $70,000 to $78,000, depending on experience

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for the accurate processing and reconciliation of LSAC’s semi-monthly payroll through UKG Pro, providing timely and accurate financial information while engaging in the day-to-day payroll operations. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, collaborating closely with UKG Pro, Finance, and government agencies to address tax-related inquiries and resolve discrepancies. The Payroll Specialist will possess significant experience in multi-state payroll processing and tax set up, the ability to multi-task within multiple services where required, and work in a challenging and ever-changing environment to deliver exceptional service to the organization

Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The individual employed in this position will be required to:

• Review and process multi-state, semi-monthly payroll for 400 employees utilizing UKG Pro payroll system
• Monitor flow and approval of timesheets and time off through UKG Pro’s Time Classic module
• Understand proper statewide taxation laws and regulations; manage process with payroll vendor and Federal, State, and Local tax jurisdictions to set up new tax accounts and logon ID’s, updating as necessary
• Responsible for troubleshooting payroll data errors and ensuring accuracy, compliance and completeness of all earnings, deductions, and taxes
• Work with Finance and UKG Pro to manage quarterly and annual tax reporting, payment to tax jurisdictions and compliance with required payments
• Assist with implementation of new, and/or updates to existing, payroll and time and attendance systems and programs
• Provide high level service to employees, responding timely, accurately and with full explanations
• Manage workflow while applying strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, ensuring that all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely
• Accurately create and maintain payroll supporting records as well as the documentation of payroll related Standard Operating Procedures
• Process correct garnishment calculations and ensure compliance, support orders, tax levies in payroll system
• Partner with Finance to reconcile payroll data, including tax refunds and liability, general ledger, and other Finance inquiries as needed
• Process accurate and timely year-end reporting (W-2, W-2c, 940, ACA, 1095-C, etc.)
• Work with HR team reviewing employee changes in UKG Pro, responding to audit report requests, preparation of periodic earnings/taxes/deductions reports, and other Adhoc financial and operational reporting as needed
• Demonstrate discretion, sensitivity and confidentiality concerning employee pay and personal information.
• Stay up-to-date with industry best practices, changes in tax laws and regulations, analyze their impact on payroll processes, and make recommendations and payroll adjustments for compliance.
• Support and provide backup for other areas of HR as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies

• Solid understanding of multi-state payroll, especially Pennsylvania’s specific payroll tax regulations including knowledge of Local Earned Income Tax (EIT) and Local Services Tax (LST), as well as the process for registering with local tax agencies, payroll set-ups and remitting payments.
• Working knowledge of relevant federal, state and local employment laws.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Holds a strong sense of accountability for both individual and team objectives.
• Embraces a forward-thinking mindset, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and creativity.
• Excellent time management, prioritization, attention to detail and organization skills.
• Familiarity with Human Resources and industry standard concepts, practices and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and approachability skills; able to effectively and empathetically assist employees with questions and concerns
• Ability to handle highly confidential information discreetly and professionally
• Exceptional relationship building skills
• Ability to work independently

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 3 years of experience in payroll processing and payroll tax; experience with multi-state environments required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel; comfortable with formulas, VLOOKUP and pivot tables
• Proficiency in technology and experience using HRIS/Payroll platforms including timekeeping and payroll processing systems.
• Experience with UKG Pro (Ultimate Kronos Group) payroll and time classic systems is preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role does not have people management responsibilities.

Position Type

The LSAC standard business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. ET. While these are the standard office hours for LSAC, as an exempt employee, the employee will be expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily complete their assignments in a responsible and professional manner.

Work Environment

This job operates in a remote and professional office environment. Whether remote or in-office, this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Travel Requirements

There is no travel expected for this position.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to write, hear, speak and present materials. 

Additional Information:

Please note that this job description may not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Except as otherwise provided by law, all terms of employment are subject on an at-will basis and can change at any time.