Client Payroll Senior Specialist
Hybrid Lancaster AllentownChambersburg +3 Full-time Senior Payroll
At a glance
Senior Payroll role at rkl. Lancaster · full-time · $60,000–$80,000 base.
SalaryStated by rkl
$60,000 – $80,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
RolePayroll
SenioritySenior
LocationLancaster
WorkplaceHybrid
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$60,000–$80,000
PostedOct 9, 2026 · 11d ago
Also hiring inAllentown, Chambersburg, Exton, Mechanicsburg +1
Role brief
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run full-cycle payroll for your client portfolio, checking calculations and payroll changes for accuracy
- Set up incoming client payrolls and help resolve tax notices, payroll discrepancies and client questions
- Reconcile payroll results and coordinate quarterly and year-end tax reporting
- Teach clients to use online payroll services and systems, and guide junior specialists through their work
- Research payroll rules and client issues, escalating matters that involve significant risk or legal interpretation
What you bring
- At least three years processing payroll, including ownership of full-cycle payroll work
- An associate degree in accounting, business, human resources or a related area, or equivalent education and relevant experience
- A Fundamental Payroll Certification or Certified Payroll Professional credential
- Experience handling several payrolls, entities or client accounts with deadlines that overlap
Who this fits
This suits someone who can work independently under tight deadlines while keeping clients informed and payroll details accurate. You may offer day-to-day guidance to junior colleagues, though the role has no formal supervisory responsibility. A valid driver's license is required, and the work may include evenings or weekends when needed.
From the employer
The Client Payroll Senior Specialist independently manages end-to-end payroll delivery for an assigned portfolio of clients within RKL’s Virtual Workforce Strategies consulting practice. This role serves as a primary day-to-day client contact, processes complex payrolls, researches payroll and tax issues, reconciles payroll results, coordinates quarter-end and year-end activities, and helps clients use payroll systems and processes effectively.
The Senior Specialist applies sound judgment to resolve payroll discrepancies, manage competing deadlines, and escalate matters involving material risk, legal interpretation, or changes in scope. The role may also review work completed by Payroll Specialists and provide day-to-day guidance without having formal supervisory responsibility.
The Senior Specialist applies sound judgment to resolve payroll discrepancies, manage competing deadlines, and escalate matters involving material risk, legal interpretation, or changes in scope. The role may also review work completed by Payroll Specialists and provide day-to-day guidance without having formal supervisory responsibility.
Success Factors
Responsibilities
- Accurately and timely process payrolls for assigned clients, ensuring all calculations are correct. Review personal work for accuracy and compliance
- Assist with the setup and integration of new payroll clients, ensuring a smooth transition and accurate implementation of payroll services
- Provide support in responding to and resolving tax notices, ensuring that all issues are addressed promptly and accurately
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates including new hires, terminations and changes to payrates
- Ensure proper processing of payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, and other deductions
- Maintain client and employee data
- Organize facts, analyze and interpret information according to client circumstances
- Provide on-going training and education to clients regarding the online service model and technologies
- Resolve complex payroll issues promptly while maintaining a high level of client service
- Supervise and mentor junior team members, providing training as needed to ensure the team’s growth and development
- Participate in strategic planning regarding payroll operations and suggest improvements to procedures and processes
- Provide timely and high-quality service to meet and exceed client expectations and perform research on projects as needed
- Research and resolve client inquiries
- Review year-end and quarterly payroll tax reporting (941, W-2, W-2c, etc.)
- Develop and maintain expert knowledge in payroll regulations at the federal, state and local level
- Take initiative to understand and apply available resources and appropriate guidance and policies
- Participate in continuous learning activities and active research to improve and develop technical expertise; apply learned concepts
- Perform other duties as assigned
People Management/Relationships
- Take initiative to be a team player (proactively seek opportunities to help others)
- Treat everyone with respect
- Develop loyalty and trust with team
- Successfully adapt to different personalities and working styles
- Proactively and effectively communicate information regarding status issues to team members
- Hold self accountable for assigned work; seek continuous feedback to learn and develop in role; open to new ideas and suggestions
Required Skills
- Experience managing multiple payrolls, entities, or client accounts with overlapping deadlines
- Excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail
- Multitasker with the ability to prioritize work accordingly
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong client service focus
- Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work autonomously under the pressure of tight deadlines and multiple priorities
- Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects
Education, Experience and Certifications
- Associate degree in accounting, business, human resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Three or more years of payroll-processing experience, including responsibility for full-cycle payroll
- Fundamental Payroll Certification or Certified Payroll Professional designation
- Must have valid driver's license
Essential Functions
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position as needed
- The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
- Ability to communicate in a professional manner and exchange information with internal and external actors as needed
- Ability to lift/carry up to 20 pounds
- Ability to work outside of normal business hours and weekends as needed
- This job description is subject to change at any time and employee will be given additional responsibilities as assigned
Salary Range:
$60,000 - $80,000