Payroll & HR Specialist

Key Responsibilities:Payroll Processing & Compliance:Owns the full-cycle payroll process, including bi-weekly, off-cycle, and final pay calculations for involuntary terminations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.Collects, audits, and processes payroll-related data, including garnishments, benefits deductions, housing-related adjustments, and multiple bonus structures (monthly, quarterly, and annual).Reviews and processes employee time data using UKG Time Management to ensure accuracy and compliance with wage and hour laws.Updates and maintains rate and tax tables in UKG to ensure payroll tax compliance and accurate payroll calculations.Performs GL mapping, payroll journal entries, and reconciliations to ensure proper payroll accounting integration with finance.Creates and analyzes payroll reports, identifying discrepancies and ensuring payroll accuracy.Serves as the primary point of contact for payroll-related inquiries, including employee pay discrepancies, tax withholdings, and direct deposit issues. HR Coordination & Compliance:Maintains Employee File Management (EFM) by ensuring consistency in document naming, storage, and compliance with recordkeeping policies.Responds to verification of employment (VOE) inquiries from external agencies in a timely and accurate manner.Supports HR functions within UKG HR modules, including benefits administration, recruiting and onboarding, performance management, and file management.Assists employees with HR-related inquiries, including payroll, benefits, policies, and compliance matters.Coordinates leaves of absence (LOA), workers' compensation claims, and FMLA tracking, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with company policies. Process Improvement & Efficiency:Continuously evaluates payroll and HR processes, identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency, and compliance enhancements.Stays up to date with federal, state, and local payroll and HR regulations to ensure ongoing compliance and best practices.Partners with HR and Finance to streamline UKG system configurations, reporting, and data integrity improvements.Performs other duties as assigned to support HR and payroll operations as needed.Core Competencies:To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:Analytical: Collects and researches data.Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; is able to read and interpret written anizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the organization's goals and values.Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.AttendancePunctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.EducationAssociate degree in Accounting, Finance, or HR or equivalent experience.Preferred SkillsMinimum 2 years of full-cycle payroll processing experience using UKG Pro (formerly UltiPro).Experience handling payroll tax updates, bonus calculations, and GL mapping within UKG.Strong understanding of multi-state payroll compliance, wage and hour laws, and final pay requirements.Prior experience with HR processes (onboarding, benefits administration, file management) is preferred.Expertise in UKG Pro Payroll and Time Management with the ability to configure, troubleshoot, and optimize payroll functions.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye for accuracy and compliance.Ability to handle sensitive payroll and HR data with discretion and confidentiality.Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain payroll matters to employees and collaborate with HR and Finance teams.Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.Fluency in Spanish is a plusPhysical Requirements:The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.General Physical DemandsSedentary work involving prolonged sitting for 75-90% of the workday at a desk using a computer.Ability to stand, stretch, or move intermittently throughout the day.Frequent typing, data entry, and use of a mousekeyboard for payroll processing.Occasional grasping, reaching, and fine motor skills for paperwork or filing.Lifting and carrying binders, files, or office equipment up to 10-15 lbs.Occasional reaching for documents stored in cabinets or shelves.Ability to read a computer screen for extended periods and analyze data.Clear communication via phone, email, and in-person interactions.Cognitive & Mental RequirementsStrong attention to detail and high accuracy in processing payroll data to avoid errors.Ability to review complex tax calculations and compliance updates.Problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify discrepancies in payroll records and take corrective action.Ability to manage multiple deadlines for payroll cycles and compliance reporting.Capacity to handle frequent interruptions while maintaining accuracy.Emotional resilience to manage stressful situations such as pay disputes, garnishments, and legal issues.Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and payroll data.Work Environment ConsiderationsPrimarily office-based with potential for remote work, depending on company policy.Minimal physical exertion is required, but extended screen time and repetitive tasks may contribute to eye strain or ergonomic concerns.Noise level is typically low, but distractions may exist in open office environments.About MC Companies MC Companies is a real estate investment, development, construction, and management company specializing in multifamily properties. Since 2001, MC Companies has executed approximately $3.8 billion in multifamily assets. It currently owns and operates nearly 7,000 residential units across 29 properties in the major metropolitan markets of Ariz., Texas, and Nev., and has an additional 1,260 units in development. The company operates under a mission of "Sharing the Good Life" with investors, residents, MC Companies' employees, and the citizens of the communities in which its properties are located. Through its Sharing the Good Life Foundation, MC Companies has supported more than 500 charities through employee-requested grants. For more information, visit

Created: 2025-03-02