Specialist, Payroll and Benefits Administration

Job content

Term: Permanent Full-Time
Division/Branch: Corporate Services Division / Finance and Administration Branch

Application Deadline: May 7, 2024

Level: Level 7
Salary Range: Min: $66,801 to Max: $78,592
Work Location: Head Office, Toronto, ON; Hybrid

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a regulatory agency that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horseracing, and private cannabis retail sectors in Ontario, in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.

The AGCO’s Finance and Administration Branch is seeking a Payroll and Benefits Administration Specialist. Reporting to the Manager, Payroll and Benefits Administration (‘Manager’), the position will be responsible for providing payroll, benefits and pension services in accordance with Federal and Provincial legislative requirements, as well as the relevant directives, policies and procedures. These services include processing the bi-weekly payroll and payroll year-end and benefits, including pension, administration and related reconciliations, reporting and remittances. In addition, this position will act as a subject matter expert on all payroll and benefits, including pension, related activities to ensure that they are handled accurately, timely and with a customer-centric approach. The position will be an integral part of the Branch, working in collaboration with others and would serve as backup for the Analyst, Payroll and Benefits Administration as required.

In this role, the successful candidate will:

• Process the organization’s scheduled and ad hoc payroll runs timely and accurately.
• Prepare reconciliations and monitor payments to third parties and resolve issues.
• Prepare required reports for monitoring and management reporting.
• Respond to payroll queries from management and employees by providing accurate and timely responses, acting appropriately based on the queries and keeping the Manager informed.
• Process transactions related to pension and insured benefit coverage in a timely manner (enrolments, terminations, changes, etc.).
• Perform information updates to the payroll system, pension and the benefit providers’ portals.
• Reconcile payroll deductions and the benefit providers’ invoice and resolve discrepancies.
• Remain abreast of requirements from legislation, directives, policies and procedures to ensure compliance, as well as changes to the payroll processing system
• Perform regular and annual review of the operating procedures and submit changes for approval.
• Work on process improvements and innovations and provide recommendations
• Participate in the branch, division, and organization wide working groups.
• Provide branch program support as required.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation is a must; a Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation awarded or near completion would be an asset.
• A degree in business and/or 3+ years of relevant experience administering payroll and benefits.
• Expert knowledge in payroll compliance and reporting in a unionized environment with defined benefit pension plans.
• Thorough knowledge of payroll, pension and benefits legislative and other requirements.
• Sound knowledge of:
• applicable benefit types (e.g., health, dental, pension, etc.).
• payroll software application
• records management principles and practices
• payroll software application
• Knowledge of accounting principles, practices and procedures as related to the payroll, pension and benefits processing.
• Strong mathematical and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve discrepancies in payroll.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and superior analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of the agency and the payroll service provider.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a criminal background check.

The AGCO is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.

The AGCO has the responsibility to lead by example in advancing racial equity and to build a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and the opportunity to fully contribute. To this effect, you are encouraged to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to the role within your application including, but not limited to, individuals identifying with one or more of the under-represented groups identified within Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Disability related accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request.