Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Department: Finance

Location: Hybrid (Mississauga)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000 Annually

About Us

Bluestar Professional Services Inc. is an investment office operating across Canada and the United States. We acquire and operate small to medium-sized businesses with a long-term, value-driven approach focused on sustainable growth and meaningful outcomes for employees, clients, and investors.

Our businesses bring together legal, accounting, wealth management, and advisory expertise under one platform, creating a collaborative environment focused on simplifying complexity and delivering thoughtful, long-term solutions.

At Bluestar, we believe great businesses are built by great people. We foster a culture of collaboration, growth, excellence, and continuous learning, where individuals are supported, empowered to take initiative, and given opportunities to make a meaningful impact.

Position Summary

Bluestar Professional Services Inc. is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely administration of payroll, benefits, and related employee programs for multiple client organizations. Reporting to the Director of Finance, this role ensures compliance with payroll legislation, employment standards, tax regulations, and company policies while providing exceptional service to clients and employees.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted payroll and benefits resource, managing payroll processing, benefit administration, statutory remittances, reporting, reconciliations, and year-end activities. This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Administration

• Process bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for multiple organizations.
• Ensure accurate calculation of wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, vacation pay, and taxable benefits.
• Maintain employee payroll records and ensure data integrity within payroll systems.
• Review payroll transactions for accuracy and completeness before processing.
• Administer new hires, terminations, leaves of absence, and employee status changes in payroll system.
• Process Records of Employment (ROEs) in accordance with Service Canada requirements.
• Monitor payroll deadlines and ensure timely completion of all payroll activities.
• Respond to employee and client payroll inquiries in a professional and timely manner.

1. Benefits Administration

• Administer all group benefits programs.
• Coordinate employee enrollments, changes, terminations, and annual benefit renewals.
• Act as primary liaison with benefit providers and insurance carriers.
• Support employees with benefit-related questions and claims inquiries.
• Maintain accurate employee benefit records and documentation.
• Assist with benefits benchmarking and recommendations for clients.

1. Compliance & Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial payroll legislation.
• Administer source deductions including CPP, EI, income tax, EHT, and other statutory requirements.
• Prepare and remit payroll deductions to government agencies and third-party providers.
• Maintain knowledge of payroll legislation, employment standards, and tax changes.
• Assist with payroll audits and regulatory reviews.
• Ensure confidentiality and security of payroll and employee information.

1. Year-End Processing

• Prepare and reconcile year-end payroll information.
• Generate and distribute T4s, T4As, RL-1s (where applicable), and other statutory reporting documents.
• Complete year-end government filings and reconciliations.
• Coordinate annual payroll updates and testing.

1. Client Service & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and employees.
• Provide guidance regarding payroll best practices and legislative requirements.
• Support client implementations, payroll transitions, and system upgrades.
• Participate in client meetings and provide payroll expertise when required.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes and efficiencies.

1. Process Improvement & Systems

• Recommend enhancements to payroll procedures and controls.
• Maintain payroll policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Participate in payroll system implementations, testing, and upgrades.
• Leverage technology and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Support internal process improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

• Postsecondary education in Payroll Administration, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience

• 3-5+ years of progressive payroll administration experience.
• Experience processing payroll for multiple entities or clients is highly preferred.
• Experience administering employee benefits programs.
• Experience working within professional services organizations, accounting firms,
• law firms, or outsourced finance environments is considered an asset.
• Experience with payroll software and HRIS systems.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Canadian payroll legislation and employment standards.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with payroll platforms.
• Understanding of payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliations.
• Experience with reporting and data analysis.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple client portfolios simultaneously
• Client-service orientation
• Professionalism and discretion with confidential information
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Continuous improvement mindset

Success Measures

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist will be evaluated on:

• Payroll accuracy and timeliness
• Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements
• Client satisfaction and responsiveness
• Accuracy of remittances and year-end filings
• Effectiveness in managing benefit administration
• Process improvement contributions
• Quality of reporting and reconciliations
• Maintenance of strong internal and external relationships

What We Offer

• Hybrid work arrangement.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• A competitive compensation package
• Dental care, Extended health care, and Life insurance
• Paid time off
• On-site parking

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Bluestar Professional Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Bluestar Professional Services Inc. adopts an inclusive and accessible environment and is committed to providing support to applicants and firm members with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment, selection, or assessment process, please let us know.