Payroll Specialist

Accounting / Finance, Disabled Friendly Jobs, Remote Jobs In Canada
US, Canada
November 7, 2026
Full Time Remote
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Job Description

Ascend, Inc. is hiring a Payroll Specialist to support Managed Payroll clients by performing payroll administration, processing and specialist duties for US and Canadian payrolls using UKG Pro.

Location: Remote (home office). Legal authorisation to work in the United States or Canada is required.
Employee type: Full-Time Exempt
Required degree: 4-year degree
Travel: Up to 10%
Manages others: No
Job category: Managed Payroll, UKG Pro Payroll, Remote Work

Responsibilities

  • Process payroll for a variety of pay frequencies (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly) for hourly and salaried employees of assigned clients
  • Process payroll adjustments such as shortages, garnishments, manual gross-to-net calculations, vacation pay, bonuses and manual/instant cheques
  • Provide clients with predetermined reporting and obtain client approval for employee entries and exceptions within Time & Attendance
  • Transmit payroll by each client’s required deadlines
  • Process employee changes (tax withholding, direct deposit, PTO accruals) where included in the contract
  • Join client welcome calls and assist client employees and supervisors with payroll questions
  • Process employee payment changes in the payroll gateway per the Client Change Workbook or the client’s preferred method
  • Load timecards and import balances from the client time product (UTM, WMF, WFM or other)
  • Pre-process payroll with established audits to ensure accurate inputs and generate the required approvals
  • Complete post-payroll documentation according to the processing schedule checklist
  • Review client contracts to understand each assigned client’s details and needs
  • Maintain internal controls as documented in Ascend policies and procedures
  • Maintain payroll documentation and identify process improvements
  • Provide general payroll guidance to clients and the Managed Payroll team on processing, UKG payroll setup and administration
  • Stay current on UKG product releases and certifications and on payroll laws and regulations
  • Follow Ascend and UKG implementation and managed payroll methodologies and meet monthly profitability goals
  • Other duties as directed by leadership

Requirements

  • Minimum of four years’ experience in payroll
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • Knowledge and experience with UKG Payroll and Time products
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), project management tools and video conferencing software
  • Fluent written and verbal English
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification highly preferred

Work and travel requirements

  • Remote work from a home office
  • Legal authorisation to work in the United States or Canada
  • Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time

Accessibility

Ascend states that reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Benefits

  • Competitive industry compensation
  • Achievable monthly bonus plans and sales commission opportunities
  • 100% employer-paid health benefits
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Open PTO (mandatory two-week minimum)
  • Professional development reimbursement and 100% paid UKG certification training
  • Company-provided laptop, mobile phone and equipment

About Ascend

Ascend, Inc. is one of the largest exclusive, premier UKG partners in North America, with over 120 certified consultants and more than 300 active projects delivering end-to-end UKG Pro Suite and UKG Ready implementation services. Its recognitions include UKG Partner of the Year (2024), Inc. 5000 (2024, 2025) and multiple Great Place to Work and Fortune Best Workplaces awards.

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