Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

Location: Toronto-661 University

Department: Payroll Consulting

 

This posting is to fill a current vacancy.

 

To provide Payroll Services for the processing of Payroll and Benefits transactions. The position ensures that the Agency’s payroll, inclusive of hourly, salary, part time, union/non-union employees of Public Health Ontario are processed within established timelines as per payroll policies, collective agreements and business requirements.

Key Responsibilities-

• Working closely with the People Experience Team acts as a point of escalation and provides guidance in response to a range of payroll inquiries (e.g., completion of payroll transactions, contract deductions, payroll earnings, coding of time entry for hours worked, questions on accrual balances re: vacation, overtime) from Agency Managers and staff (all levels) based on application of established payroll processes and practices, Collective Agreements and payroll legislation.
• Plays an active role in reviewing inquiries sent to the Payroll Inbox, in investigating these inquiries and takes necessary actions to bring them to a timely resolution.
• Processes bi-weekly payroll, ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation, PHO’s policies and procedures and Collective Agreements.
• Audit payroll output as per established standard operating procedures (SOPs) prior to finalizing and transmitting the payroll, to ensure accuracy.
• Follows-up on payroll issues and resolves any discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Prepare and distribute post pay reports for Finance, Human Resources and Management.
• Reviews and reconciles third party payroll remittances and completes Cheque Requisition.
• Receives and run reports on employee changes entered into the HRIS by the People Experience Team (PEX) and interfaced to the payroll system. Reviews and verifies the changes for accuracy, and that transactions are in compliance with the Collective Agreements, Employment Standards Act and payroll control policies.
• Process all applicable payroll requirements as defined by the change to the employee e.g. new hire, rate change retro, top-up, pay adjustments, termination pay, ROE etc.
• Yearend reconciliation and processing of T4 earnings and Employer Health Tax.
• Validate and process Form T2200.
• Review/reconcile pension contributions and finalize Member Data Collection (MDC) reporting for terminations and yearend reporting.
• Calculate and process Pension Adjustments.
• Work with HR to receive an export of the hours to Payroll for processing in a timely and accurate manner aligned with pay period close deadlines.
• Review and correct errors resulting from hours upload to Payroll, pay processing, and take appropriate action to resolve and process.
• Provides support with time entry and accrual updates and investigations.
• Provides advice to Attendance Coordinators and Timekeepers regarding internal policies/procedures on Attendance Management and validates the accuracy of their transactions as required.
• Coordinate with Human Resources and our pension providers to ensure accurate and timely deduction of employee contributions and buyback.
• Assists employees with Online Self Service registration to the Payroll System.
• Provides support to inquiries from PHO Managers and staff regarding a variety of routine attendance and payroll functions, e.g. coding of time, how to process specific transactions, questions on staff balances re: vacation, overtime, etc.
• Working in conjunction with the HR and Disability Management Specialist, ensure that all employees that are on leave are actioned and processed in accordance with the Collective Agreements and applicable policies.
• In conjunction with Finance and the external auditors, gather employee samples and reports needed to aid in the validation of the internal controls and data integrity.
• Collects Payroll mail and distributes accordingly.
• Provides assistance on projects related to the development and implementation of payroll procedures, systems and practices.
• Will be the back up of the Payroll Team Lead position when they are out of office.
• Responsible for the orientation and knowledge sharing / training of new Payroll Specialists and ensure that processes/procedures are done in a standardized approach.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience-

• Three years of community college or an undergraduate degree from a university.
• Certification as a Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in processing a full cycle payroll.
• Experience processing unionized payroll in a multi-functional environment.
• Proficiency and experience with various computerized payroll systems, and MS Office software including ADP-Workforce Now and Workday.
• Intermediate to advance Excel skills.

Knowledge and Skills –

• Analytical with proficiency in using Excel to perform a variety of manual payroll related calculations (e.g., maternity top-up, severances, pensions, retroactive payments).
• Oral and written communication skills to respond to a range of inquiries from management and staff across PHO, clarifying payroll related processes, procedures, the application of policies and payroll related legislation, and to discuss and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Ability to effectively communicate with auditors during year end audits and to respond to their inquiries.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, within tight deadlines and to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent attention to detail and a consistent high level of accuracy.

Attributes and Competencies-

• Works within PHO’s payroll policies, Collective Agreements and payroll related legislation.
• Reviews the accuracy of all payroll pre-processing reports to ensure accurate information prior to transmission to ADP and payment of PHO staff.
• As directed by the Payroll Team Lead, identifies, reconciles and resolves a range of discrepancies and errors (e.g. calculations, authorization, systems) to ensure accuracy of payroll and compliance with policies, Collective Agreements and legislation.
• Frequent requirement to balance competing priorities to meet established payroll deadline demands.
• Has a high degree of confidentiality and the knowledge of when to escalate and when to problem solve.
• Strong problem-solving skills to solve issues in the moment within the scope of the role coupled with conflict resolution skills.
• Occasional requirement to work flexible and extended hours to meet timelines during high workload periods.

Duration: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week

Compensation Group:Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Compensation Range :$39.22 - $45.67

Posting Date: 09-18-2026

 

Closing Date: 09-29-2026

Please note: applications will be received no later than 11:59pm on the date preceding the closing date as indicated on the Job Requisition.

Note: Internal candidates will be considered first.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.  Any information obtained during the course of recruitment will be used for employment recruitment purposes only, and not for any other purpose.

PHO is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Any candidate who requires a job posting in an alternative format may email a request to [email protected]. Once an applicant has been selected for an interview, they can inform PHO about any accommodations they may require at any stage of the interview process.