Payroll Systems Specialist

Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, the Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll for more than 2,000 employees across multiple locations. Serving as the organization's payroll subject matter expert, this role oversees payroll processing, Dayforce administration and configuration, compliance, reporting, system maintenance, and payroll data integrity.

A proactive, solutions-focused role, the Payroll Specialist takes ownership of complex payroll matters, conducts root cause analysis, identifies risks and impacts, and drives issues through to resolution. Working collaboratively with Finance, Human Resources, managers, employees, and external partners, the role provides guidance, training, and leadership on payroll-related matters while continuously improving processes, controls, and service delivery.

Location: 66 Moorefield Street, Cambridge, ON

Dedicated Day Shift: 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday

Job Duties

• Process bi-weekly payroll for approximately 2,000 employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, confidentiality, and legislative compliance.
• Audit payroll data and maintain records and documentation to support internal controls, external audits, and statutory requirements.
• Prepare payroll journals, reconciliations, remittances, income tax forms, Records of Employment (ROEs), year-end reporting, and other payroll-related documentation.
• Administer and maintain the Dayforce payroll module, including employee records, earnings and deduction codes, workflows, system rules, data integrity, and configuration changes.
• Coordinate testing, implementation, and validation of Dayforce updates, enhancements, compliance changes, and system improvements.
• Serve as the organization's payroll subject matter expert and primary resource for payroll-related inquiries from employees and managers.
• Investigate payroll discrepancies, system issues, and complex payroll matters through detailed analysis and root cause identification.
• Lead payroll issue resolution from identification through completion, coordinating with Human Resources, Finance, Operations and external vendors as required.
• Proactively identify payroll risks, trends, compliance concerns, and opportunities for process, control, and system improvements.
• Prepare and analyze ad hoc, monthly, quarterly, annual, and management payroll reports and provide meaningful insights to support decision-making.
• Support month-end, year-end, internal and external audits, payroll reconciliations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Administer the employee expense reporting system, including troubleshooting, system updates, user support, and process enhancements.
• Lead payroll-related organizational communications, including employee notices, legislative updates, payroll process changes, deadlines, and system updates.
• Develop and deliver payroll-related training, guidance, and educational resources to employees, managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll legislation, taxation, compliance requirements, and payroll best practices.

Skills and Experience

• 3 to 5 years of progressive payroll experience, preferably supporting a large, multi-site workforce.
• Strong working knowledge of Dayforce payroll administration, configuration, troubleshooting, reporting, system maintenance, and testing.
• Proven ability to analyze complex payroll issues, identify root causes, and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Strong critical thinking, investigative, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate issues, assess impacts, and proactively address risks before they escalate.
• Experience leading initiatives and driving issue resolution through to completion while managing multiple stakeholders.
• Experience preparing payroll reconciliations, journal entries, remittances, ROEs, year-end reporting, audits, and management reporting.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Qualifications

Education & Certifications

• Post-secondary education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, Payroll Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP), Certified Payroll Professional certification, or Canadian Payroll Association membership is an asset.
• Ongoing professional development in payroll legislation, taxation, payroll systems, and compliance requirements.

Technical Skills

• Advanced experience with Dayforce Payroll administration, configuration, reporting, troubleshooting, testing, and system maintenance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables, reconciliations, and data analysis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.

What We Can Offer You

• Family-Oriented Company: Lots of social events, BBQ’s, pizza parties and more!
• Competitive Wages and Profit Sharing: In addition to competitive wages, we celebrate our financial success together through profit sharing.
• RRSP Matching Program: Retirement planning? We’ve got your back!
• Skills Development and Training Reimbursement: An opportunity to self-identify industry-related learning opportunities available for pre-approval and repayment.
• Company-Paid Healthcare Benefits and EAP: Your well-being matters. Our healthcare benefits go beyond prescriptions and medications. Take advantage of massages, physiotherapy, vision coverage and more! Plus, our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) offers many exciting free programs.
• Active Social Committee: Take part in our annual family picnic, adult and children’s Christmas parties, theatre events, sporting events and tournaments, family outings, and discounted admission prices for attractions across Ontario!

Why work for Tigercat Industries group of companies?

We're more than just a company – we're a tight-knit family, who thrives on teamwork and is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation. We believe in fostering a safe, encouraging and collaborative environment where your contributions and talents are valued and supported.

Interested in learning more? Visit our FAQ page or explore what our employees have to say by watching their Tigercat story!

Tigercat strives to create a respectful, accessible, and inclusive work environment. Upon individual request, hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview, or selection processes, please contact Human Resources for assistance. Click here to read more about Tigercat’s Accessibility Plan.