Payroll Manager

Description

Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Payroll Manager to join our Corporate Finance unit in our Chicago office. The Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing all payroll operations, including the preparation, and entry of payroll data for semi-monthly cycle. This role entails maintaining accurate records, auditing payroll documentation for approximately 700 employees across multiple states. Additionally, the Payroll Manager will supervise and provide guidance to the Payroll Specialist.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

What You Will Do:

• Oversee and ensure accurate payroll processing for all employees, including but not limited to, salaries, overtime, bonuses, and special payments.
• Manage, train and mentor Payroll Specialist to ensure efficient and accurate workflow.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local payroll, wage and hour laws and regulations, as well as established company policies, and advise on legislative changes.
• Set up new state and/or state unemployment and local tax accounts when required.
• Document all payroll transactions and keep records secure for audit and reporting needs.
• Administer on-demand payments as needed.
• Process garnishments, child support, and levies as required by law.
• Prepare semi-monthly and monthly reports.
• Review retirement plan contribution changes and deferrals and process the funding.
• Respond to inquiries related to payroll, in a timely and professional manner.
• Manage the annual year-end W-2 reconciliation process, ensuring complete accuracy and timeliness.
• Facilitate workers compensation annual audits by providing records and documentation as requested.
• Manage payroll software and systems, and collaborate with the Director of Human Resources to implement updates and enhancements.
• Ensures accurate integration to General Ledger.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

This Role Might Be for You If…

• You take pride in delivering accurate, compliant payroll work
• You enjoy coaching and developing others
• You thrive in a fast-paced, professional services environment
• You are proactive about problem solving and can quickly identify discrepancies or data issues
• You like working with payroll systems and are confident troubleshooting issues
• You take satisfaction in well-documented processes, accurate reporting, and strong audit readiness.
• You are client service oriented and feel confident communicating with employees at all levels about payroll questions.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in payroll processing, with supervisory experience.
• ADP Payroll processing experience is required.
• Knowledge of federal and state wage payment and tax laws.
• Client service oriented and able to effectively interface with finance, business professionals and outside vendors.
• Experience in a professional services environment preferred.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to develop positive working relationships (in-person and virtually).
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Accurate, precise, and follows up regularly and appropriately.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload, and multitask accordingly.
• Comfortable and competent with sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with effective organizational skills.
• Proven problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Unquestioned integrity and professionalism.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Proficient in web-based conference call/web-sharing applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting or related field preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification is preferred.

Where Do You Fit?

Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.

Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.

Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $100,000-$120,000

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.

Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.