Payroll Processor - Contract-to-Hire

Title

Payroll Processor (Contract-to-Hire) — Remote (MI or PA only) — ~5 hrs/week (growing)

About the Role

I run a small bookkeeping firm supporting small businesses and nonprofits. I’m looking for an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll Processor to take ownership of multi-client payroll processing and related payroll admin.

This is a contract-to-hire role (not guaranteed permanent). The contract period is expected to be 3–6 months, after which we’ll review fit and workload for a potential move to a permanent part-time employee role.
• Location requirement: Must be US-based and located in Michigan (MI) or Pennsylvania (PA) for the contract phase and potential hire.
• Schedule: Remote and flexible hours, but you must be reliably available around payroll processing deadlines and have some weekday availability (clients are generally Mon–Fri, 9–5).
• Hours: Approximately 5 hours/week to start, with the potential for more as we grow.
• Pay: $20–$25/hour (DOE)
• Background check: Required
• No agencies.

Responsibilities

You’ll support multiple clients and payroll schedules (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, and monthly), plus contractor payments that may follow a different timing than payroll.

Key responsibilities include:

Payroll Processing & Maintenance
• Run full-cycle payroll accurately and on time across multiple client accounts
• Set up and maintain new hires, employee changes, and terminations
• Process adjustments, corrections, and off-cycle payrolls
• Set up and manage garnishments (as needed)
• Enter and maintain benefits/deductions within payroll systems
• Support PTO tracking and accrual setup/maintenance where applicable

Reconciliation / Accuracy / Reporting
• Reconcile payroll activity to client books (as applicable) and ensure payroll entries are correct
• Review payroll tax forms and filings to confirm they are accurate and submitted
• Identify missing filings or issues and take appropriate next steps to resolve them

Compliance & Problem-Solving
• Research and follow state payroll requirements (including multi-state considerations)
• Help clients understand what’s needed for compliance and, when necessary, support manual filing guidance

Client Support & Vendor Coordination
• Communicate professionally with clients to collect needed info, answer payroll questions, and resolve issues
• Provide tax notice support (triage, respond, and coordinate resolution)
• Contact payroll providers (e.g., Gusto, ADP, QBO Payroll) as needed for troubleshooting and escalations

Year-End & Special Projects
• Support year-end processes including W-2 and 1099 workflows
• Support workers’ comp audits and related payroll documentation requests

Systems We Use

Experience with one or more is required; strong candidates can ramp quickly across tools:
• Gusto
• ADP
• QuickBooks Online Payroll (QBO Payroll)

Requirements (Must Have)
• 1+ year payroll processing experience (strong preference for 3+ years)
• Demonstrated experience running payroll end-to-end (not just data entry)
• Comfortable working in a multi-client environment with varied pay schedules and deadlines
• Knowledge of:
• Multi-state payroll basics and how to research requirements by state
• commissions and bonuses
• garnishments
• PTO and accrual concepts
• benefits/deduction setup inside payroll systems
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines consistently
• Clear, professional client communication (written and verbal)
• US-based and residing in MI or PA
• Willing to complete a background check
• No agencies

Nice to Have
• Experience working at a bookkeeping/accounting firm or supporting multiple client payrolls concurrently
• Experience with nonprofits (including grant allocation awareness)
• FPC or CPP certification (not required)
• Comfort owning payroll clean-up projects and improving processes/SOPs

About Working With Me / Our Team

We’re a small team with predictable deadlines that are tracked, and we value:
• Autonomy: you’re trusted to manage your work without micromanagement
• Responsiveness: clients need timely answers during the workweek
• High standards: payroll deadlines can’t be missed, and accuracy matters

If you like clear expectations, steady workflow, and being treated like a capable professional, you’ll fit well here.

Contract-to-Hire Details (Please Read)

This role starts as contract with the intent to hire, but permanent employment is not guaranteed. After 3–6 months, we’ll review:
• quality and accuracy
• reliability with deadlines
• communication/responsiveness
• workload needs and growth

How to Apply (LinkedIn Only)

Please apply through LinkedIn (no direct emails, please). In your application, include:
• A resume (PDF preferred)
• A short note covering:
• Your payroll experience (years + types of payroll schedules you’ve handled)
• Which systems you’ve used (Gusto/ADP/QBO Payroll and any others)
• Your state of residence (MI or PA) and your typical weekday availability
• Your desired hourly rate within $20–$25/hr

Applications missing MI/PA location and payroll system experience may not be considered.