Senior Payroll Specialist

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Payroll Specialist based in Canada. As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you will take ownership of complex, multi-client payroll portfolios and become a trusted senior resource for both clients and internal teams. You will oversee full-cycle Canadian payroll across multiple pay frequencies while ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. The role combines hands-on payroll expertise with client advisory, quality assurance, process improvement, and team support. You will operate with significant autonomy, using cloud-based technology and automation to improve efficiency and service quality. Working within a fully remote, results-oriented environment, you will have the opportunity to influence processes and contribute to the evolution of the payroll function. This is a high-impact position for a payroll professional who enjoys solving complex problems, building strong relationships, and helping others develop. Accountabilities: - Own and oversee full-cycle payroll processing for a diverse portfolio of Canadian clients across weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payroll cycles. - Manage complex payroll transactions including new hires, compensation changes, terminations and ROEs, taxable benefits, statutory holiday pay, commissions, deductions, EHT, WSIB, RRSPs, and other payroll adjustments. - Review payroll calculations, reconciliations, remittances, filings, and year-end reporting, including T4 and T4A information slips. - Maintain strong oversight of Canadian federal and provincial payroll compliance, proactively identifying risks related to accuracy, deadlines, legislation, and service delivery. - Act as a senior escalation point for complex payroll questions, discrepancies, CRA matters, government registrations, and other payroll-related issues.

- Build trusted client relationships by providing clear, proactive guidance on payroll, compliance requirements, process improvements, and emerging issues. - Take ownership of client concerns from identification through resolution, maintaining timely communication and a high-quality client experience. - Perform detailed payroll reviews and audits to identify discrepancies, strengthen controls, and prevent recurring issues. - Use cloud-based tools such as Wagepoint and Karbon to improve payroll accuracy, visibility, efficiency, and communication, while identifying opportunities for automation. - Identify root causes of payroll issues and lead sustainable improvements to workflows, controls, documentation, and standardized procedures. - Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, checklists, training resources, and step-by-step procedures to support consistency and scalability. - Serve as a payroll subject-matter resource for Cloud Accountants and other team members by providing guidance, coaching, and support on complex matters. - Research changes to payroll legislation, CRA guidance, and industry practices, proactively communicating relevant updates and recommendations to colleagues and clients. - Collaborate with payroll and finance leadership on initiatives that improve service quality, team capabilities, and the overall payroll offering. Requirements - 4–5+ years of progressive full-cycle Canadian payroll experience, ideally supporting multiple businesses or clients simultaneously. - Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex payroll portfolios, resolve escalated issues, and exercise sound judgment in payroll and compliance matters. - Strong understanding of Canadian federal and provincial payroll legislation, tax requirements, remittances, year-end reporting, and government filings. - Canadian Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation is an asset; additional payroll certifications or related accounting credentials are also considered an asset.