Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Lerners LLP is one of Ontario's largest and most respected firms, with offices in London, Toronto, Strathroy and Kitchener/Waterloo Region. Each office possesses its own unique strengths – from our full service shop in London, to one of the largest litigation boutiques in Toronto – and collectively, we work together for the benefit of all of our clients and communities. Join our team of over 140 highly skilled and experienced lawyers, with the help of more than 300 dedicated support staff, in sharing expertise and resources to deliver exceptional client service.

At Lerners, we know that our people are at the heart of everything we do. We're looking for a detail-oriented and service-focused Payroll and Benefits Specialist to play a key role in delivering accurate payroll, exceptional benefits administration, and trusted support to our staff and lawyers across all offices.

This is a highly impactful role where you will help ensure our payroll and benefits programs are administered with accuracy, compliance, and care. This is a hybrid position and requires a minimum of three (3) days per week in the office.

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting our people through accurate payroll, effective benefits administration, and exceptional service, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply by September 30, 2026.

In this important firm-wide role, you will oversee the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll and employee benefit programs for staff and lawyers across all offices. You will be a trusted resource for payroll, group benefits, and retirement savings matters, helping firm members navigate questions and resolve issues with care, professionalism, and discretion.

Working closely with Human Resources, Accounting, office administrators, benefits providers, and external auditors, you will help ensure that payroll obligations are met, benefit programs are administered effectively, and reporting requirements are fulfilled. This opportunity is well suited to someone who combines technical payroll expertise with sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to responsive service.

What You Will Do

Payroll Administration

• Administer bi-weekly payroll for staff and lawyers using the firm's HRIS and payroll systems.
• Calculate earnings, deductions, taxable benefits, retirement savings or pension contributions, benefit deductions, garnishments, and statutory withholdings.
• Review and reconcile payroll inputs, including hours worked, rate changes, leaves, deductions, one-time payments, and other adjustments.
• Confirm that payroll information is complete, accurate, appropriately authorized, and consistent with established payroll practices.
• Identify discrepancies, unusual transactions, and payroll anomalies, securing the appropriate approvals and resolutions before processing.
• Prepare, validate, and securely transmit payroll files to the firm's banking institution within established deadlines.
• Respond to payroll questions and support firm members in resolving pay-related issues.
• Maintain complete and accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.

Compliance and Reporting

• Calculate and process payroll-related tax remittances and other required statutory payments.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable employment, taxation, pension, and payroll legislation.
• Prepare and distribute year-end payroll documentation, including T4 slips and related reporting.
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with legislative and firm record-retention requirements.
• Support internal and external payroll and compensation reporting requirements.

Benefits and Retirement Savings Administration

• Administer group benefit plans, including enrolments, status changes, beneficiary updates, leaves, and terminations.
• Administer the firm's Group RSP program, including enrolments, contribution changes, reporting, and regular submission of contribution data.
• Assist firm members with questions about benefit eligibility, coverage, claims, enrolment, and issue resolution.
• Work with benefits providers and third-party administrators to resolve coverage, enrolment, billing, and service matters.
• Maintain accurate benefit records and supporting documentation.

Reconciliation and Financial Controls

• Prepare monthly payroll and benefits reconciliations, investigating and resolving variances.
• Prepare benefit premium payment schedules and coordinate payments to benefit providers.
• Produce bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for Human Resources, Accounting, and firm leadership.
• Monitor payroll-related trends and provide information to support budgeting, forecasting, audits, and workforce planning.
• Maintain reliable reporting processes that support sound financial and operational decision-making.

Audit and Process Improvement

• Participate in annual payroll audits conducted by external auditors.
• Compile supporting documentation and respond to audit requests.
• Recommend improvements that strengthen the efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and service quality of payroll and benefits administration.
• Support payroll system updates, benefit plan changes, and related process improvements.

What You Bring

Education & Knowledge

• Postsecondary diploma or degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Payroll Administration, or a related discipline.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation preferred.
• Additional benefits administration or pension administration training considered an asset.

Experience & Expertise

• 5 to 8 years of progressively responsible payroll and benefits administration experience.
• Experience administering payroll in a multi-office environment.
• Experience preparing statutory remittances, reconciliations, and year-end payroll reporting.
• Experience administering group benefits and retirement savings plans.
• Experience supporting payroll audits and compliance reviews.
• Experience working with UKG HRIS system preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of benefits and retirement savings plan administration.
• Advanced attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

How to Apply :

Interested candidates should submit an application including an updated resume and cover letter to our career portal by September 30, 2026. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will receive an invitation.

Target Hiring Range: $78,090 - $92,400

Commensurate with skill level, years of experience, and aligned with internal and market equity.

This posting reflects a new vacancy within the organization.

Benefits of Working at Lerners:

Working at Lerners is both challenging and rewarding. Lerners is proud to offer a competitive salary and benefits package:

• Health, Extended Health, Dental and Vision care
• Eligibility for salary adjustments and performance-based incentive bonuses
• LTD insurance
• Life insurance
• Fitness/Parking/Transit reimbursement
• RRSP matching program
• Paid Volunteer Time
• Lerners Birthday Program
• Referral Bonus
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hybrid work arrangement eligibility (3 days per week in office)

Accessibility & Inclusion

We're committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and supporting applicants of all abilities. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please get in touch with us at [email protected] .