Senior Payroll Specialist
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Job Summary
Join a Challenger
At EQ were remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending to trust and credit union solutions.
Weve been at this since 1970 challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter faster and more connected financial experiences.
Whats kept us moving The people behind it all: challengers who ask better questions push back on old assumptions and look for a better way forward.
If youre driven to help reshape how banking works for Canadians and the businesses that power our economy this could be your next big opportunity.
We cant wait to get to know you!
This role goes beyond payroll processing. The incumbent is accountable for end-to-end payroll execution payroll accounting statutory compliance audit readiness control effectiveness issue prevention and continuous improvement. Operating with a high degree of autonomy the Senior Payroll Specialist serves as the escalation point for complex payroll matters and partners closely with Finance HR Tax Benefits vendors and leadership.
The role is expected to identify risks before they result in payroll errors perform root cause analysis when issues arise implement sustainable corrective actions and strengthen payroll processes through documentation controls automation and proactive governance.
Payroll Operations
Independently processvalidate and oversee end-to-end payroll for multiple legal entities and payroll populations.
Execute bi-weekly and off-cycle payrolls in alignment with payroll calendars service commitments company policies employment standards and legislative requirements.
Review andvalidatepayroll transactions including new hires terminations leaves of absence salary changes incentive payments equity transactions taxable benefits pension/savings deductions and other complex payroll events.
Validate upstream data from HR Benefits Finance vendors and system integrations before payroll isfinalized.
Review payroll outputs with a risk-based lens toidentifyunusual trends exceptions or potential errors before employee impact occurs.
Own complex payroll calculations and adjustments includingappropriate treatment taxation and accounting impact.
Payroll Compliance & Statutory Reporting
Ensure compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation statutory remittance requirements and employment-related payroll obligations.
Prepare reconcile and submit CRA remittances provincial remittances Employer Health Tax workers compensation filings Quebec payroll requirements where applicable and other payroll-related filings.
Coordinate year-end payroll activities including T4s T4A reporting CNESST wage statements annual reports pension reporting taxable benefit reporting and related reconciliations.
Monitor legislative changes and assess impactstopayroll processes systems employee experience reporting and controls.
Benefits Administration & Reconciliation
Prepare reconcile and process benefits billing statements pension and benefits remittances and vendor invoices related to benefits programs.
Coordinate with benefits providers to resolve discrepancies investigate billing variances andmaintainaccuraterecords.
Support year-end activities and reporting related to employee benefits pension savings plans and taxable benefits as applicable.
Payroll Accounting & Financial Controls
Prepare and reconcile payroll-related journal entries payroll accruals statutory liabilities benefit-related entries and payroll expense accounts.
Own payroll-related balance sheet reconciliations and ensure reconciling items are investigated explained and clearedin a timely manner.
Partner with Finance to support month-end close quarter-end reporting year-end audits financial statement requirements and payroll variance analysis.
Prepare meaningful commentary on payroll variances trends reconciling items and financial impacts.
Maintain strong payroll controls that support internal audit external audit SOX-style governance operational risk expectations and financial reporting requirements.
Root Cause Analysis & Issue Resolution
Lead investigation and resolution of payroll discrepancies complex employee payroll issues and payroll accounting variances.
Distinguish between one-time payroll corrections and systemic issues requiring process system data vendor orcontrolremediation.
Prepare issue summaries that include root cause employee impactfinancial impact control impact corrective action owner and prevention plan.
Track recurring payroll issues and recommend changes to reduce repeat inquiries manual adjustments employee impact and operational risk.
Escalate material risks compliance concerns financial impacts and control deficiencies with clear analysis and recommended actions.
Audit & Risk Management
Coordinate payroll audit activities and providetimelyaccuratesupport for internal and external auditors.
Own the preparation and maintenance of payroll audit evidence including control logs reconciliations approval evidence exception reportssign-offs and procedure documentation.
Lead periodic payroll audits and control reviews across key payroll processes including new hires terminations compensation changes deductions taxable benefits remittances off-cycle payments and year-end reporting.
Develop andmaintainpayroll control frameworks audit documentation standard operating procedures and evidence of review.
Identifyoperational risks and implement sustainable process improvements that reduce dependency manual effort and single points of failure.
Payroll Systems & Continuous Improvement
Serve as a subject matter expert for Dayforce and related payroll systems integrations configuration impacts reports and system controls.
Support system implementations upgrades acquisitions integrations payroll transformation initiatives and post-go-livehypercareactivities.
Lead orparticipatein user acceptance testing parallel payroll testing regression testing and validation activities.
Recommend opportunities to automate manual processes improve reporting strengthen controls and improve operational efficiency.
Maintain payroll procedures workflows checklists control documentation and knowledge management materials.
Stakeholder Support & Partnership
Act as the escalation point for complex payroll inquiries and payroll-related issues requiring cross-functional resolution.
Provide guidance to HR Finance Tax Benefits Legal vendors leaders and employees on payroll-related matters.
Translate payroll issues into clear business impacts including employee experience financial exposure compliance risk and control implications.
Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and third-party vendors providing recommendations ratherthan onlyidentifyingissues.
Support mergers acquisitions organizational changes and other strategic initiatives affecting payroll operations.
Minimum 7 to 10 years of progressive payroll experience in a complex multi-entity Canadian payroll environment.
Have an accredited payroll compliance professional certification
Experience independently processing payroll for multiple legal entities and complex payroll populations with a group ranging between 1500-3000 employees
Experience supporting payroll accounting journal entries accruals reconciliations financial reporting and variance analysis.
Experience owning or supporting internal audit external audit control testing and audit evidence preparation.
Experience with Dayforce payrollstronglypreferred.
Experience with payroll integrations implementations acquisitions system testing or payroll transformation projects considered an asset.
Demonstratedexperience with payroll accounting audit ownership controls root cause analysis and cross-functional issue resolution.
Canadian payroll legislation employment standards statutory remittances and year-end reporting requirements.
Income Tax Act requirements CPP EI taxable benefits employer payroll obligations and provincial payroll requirements.
Payroll accounting principles general ledger reconciliations accruals variance analysis and payroll liability management.
Internal controls audit practices evidence standards documentation requirements and operational risk management.
Advanced Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting capabilities.
Equity Diversity & Inclusion
EQ is committed to building an inclusive accessible environment where every employee feels valued respected and supported. We believe our organization is stronger and our people thrive when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences identities and perspectives. Were equally committed to supporting your growth both professionally and personally.
We provide a barrierfree recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond.
As part of our recruitment process EQ uses AI to help screen assess and/or select applicants for this position. All AI-enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.
EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is the parent company of Equitable Bank the countrys seventh-largest Schedule I bank by assets which operates EQ Bank Canadas Challenger Bank. EQB Inc. serves nearly 4 million Canadians and manages approximately $150 billion in combined assets under management and administration.
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Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
At Equitable Bank, we specialize in providing branchless financial services that meet the unique needs of all Canadians. Our range of mortgages, savings accounts and investment options are designed to offer the right solutions to match any unique circumstance.
