Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Payroll Specialist (Temporary Contract)

$65,000 - $75,000 Annually

Hamilton, ON - Onsite

About Us

STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering proactive recruitment solutions in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Manufacturing Operations, and Technology. STRIVE supports various clients from small to medium-sized enterprises to Fortune 500 organizations for their permanent, contract, and temporary recruitment needs.

The Role

We are currently seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist for a 6-month temporary contract, with potential for extension. This role will play a key part in ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing within a collaborative in-house payroll team. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, solutions-focused, and comfortable working across multiple systems while managing complex payroll data.

This opportunity is well-suited for a payroll professional who enjoys thinking critically, identifying discrepancies, and improving processes in a fast-paced environment.

Advantages

• $65,000 – $75,000 annually based on experience
• 6-month contract with potential for extension, offering stability with flexibility
• Monday to Friday schedule in office (8:30–5:00)
• Supportive team environment with hands-on training and mentorship
• Exposure to full-cycle payroll in a multi-entity environment

Responsibilities

• Process full-cycle payroll for a designated entity, supporting approximately 200 employees
• Review, verify, and reconcile timesheet data between internal systems, identifying errors or discrepancies
• Track vacation, banked time, and other payroll-related balances using manual spreadsheets
• Enter and process payroll data accurately within an in-house payroll system
• Perform post-payroll reconciliations and support month-end reporting
• Ensure payroll processing complies with applicable payroll legislation and company policies
• Support payroll coverage for vacations and absences within a team of three payroll professionals
• Respond to payroll-related inquiries with professionalism and discretion
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to resolve payroll issues efficiently
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and increased accuracy

Requirements

• 4–7+ years of hands-on payroll experience preferred
• Experience processing payroll in a multi-entity or mid-sized organization
• Great Plains experience is a strong asset (ERP/payroll systems considered)
• Post-payroll reconciliation experience required
• Post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• Payroll designation (PCP or equivalent) considered an asset
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation and compliance requirements
• Excellent attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to think critically, ask questions, and resolve discrepancies independently
• Comfortable working with in-house or customized payroll systems
• High level of professionalism when handling confidential information
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines

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