Payroll Coordinator

Job Title: Payroll Coordinator

Job Description

The Payroll Coordinator leads and oversees the accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly payroll for all employees in a fast-paced educational environment. This role reviews and approves payroll entries, ensures compliance with all applicable regulations, supports and guides payroll team members, and collaborates closely with HR and Finance to resolve issues and improve processes. The Payroll Coordinator also manages payroll reporting, assists with audits and year-end activities, and contributes to the ongoing enhancement of payroll systems and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the processing of semi-monthly payroll for all employees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Review and approve payroll entries to confirm they meet internal standards, company policies, and federal, state, and local legal requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions, providing training, guidance, and feedback to payroll team members.
• Collaborate closely with HR and Finance departments to research, resolve, and prevent payroll discrepancies and issues.
• Perform payroll reconciliations, ensuring that payroll records align with accounting and financial reporting requirements.
• Generate, analyze, and distribute payroll reports for leadership and other stakeholders, providing clear and accurate information as needed.
• Oversee updates and improvements to payroll systems, including participating in system testing, validation, and implementation.
• Support payroll accounting activities, including the accurate handling of deductions and other payroll-related transactions.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing documentation, reports, and reconciliations related to payroll.
• Contribute to year-end reporting activities, including reconciliations and preparation of required payroll documents.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and safeguard sensitive payroll and employee information at all times.
• Continuously identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Essential Skills

• 3–5 years of payroll experience, including at least 1 year in a supervisory or lead capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with payroll processing and reconciliation for a multi-employee environment.
• Hands-on experience with payroll software and any ERP or payroll system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, with strong skills in Microsoft Excel for reporting and analysis.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting, including deductions and related financial entries.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities applied to payroll data and issues.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, and the ability to apply them in daily work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience with any ERP or payroll software; familiarity with Colleague or similar Ellucian systems is a plus.
• Experience working with payroll reporting and data analysis to support leadership decision-making.
• Background in an educational or similarly structured institution is beneficial.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all payroll-related tasks.
• Ability to adapt to system updates and process changes, contributing ideas for continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is based fully on-site, with work performed in the office five days per week. The position operates within an educational institution in Howard County and follows a 37.5-hour work week. The environment is fast-paced and involves heavy computer use, frequent handling of sensitive and confidential information, and regular interaction with internal and external stakeholders. The organization offers an attractive time-off package, including four weeks of accrued vacation, closure during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, a spring break period, and four personal days. The workplace emphasizes professionalism, collaboration, and accuracy in all payroll and financial processes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Columbia, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $51000.00 - $67000.00/yr.

4 weeks accrued vacation, week between Christmas and New Years closed, spring break, and 4 personal day.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Columbia,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.