Question
2-5

Payroll & Labor Cost Specialist

4/8/2026

The Payroll & Labor Cost Specialist manages bi-weekly payroll processing in coordination with an outsourced provider and ensures accurate labor cost allocation to projects. This role also audits timesheets, administers benefits and deductions, and prepares financial reports for management.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Unify Energy Solutions is a Building Automation Systems provider in Houston, Beaumont; Central, and South Texas; as well as Colorado and Wyoming. We are Factory Trained and Authorized Providers of the Reliable Controls product line. Our key leadership team has over 100 years of combined experience managing a successful building automation company in the Houston, Beaumont, and Austin markets. Unify has the team to support our customers in the following areas: Building Automation, Energy Management, Lighting Controls, Metering, Energy Conservation, and more. Visit our website at www.UnifyES.com and contact us today.
About the Role

Description

Job Summary

The Payroll & Labor Cost Specialist provides vital financial and statistical information regarding payroll and labor. This role is responsible for overseeing bi-weekly payroll processing in coordination with an outsourced payroll provider and ensures accurate timesheet management, proper administration of deductions and benefits, and precise allocation of labor costs to projects. The Payroll & Labor Cost Specialist works in the accounting department and collaborates closely with HR on payroll and benefits.


Duties/Responsibilities:


Payroll Coordination

  • Coordinate and oversee bi-weekly payroll runs with outsourced payroll provider.
  • Review and validate payroll data, including hours worked, deductions, benefits and expense re-imbursements.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
  • Coordinates the recording of payroll data into the accounting system, including applicable accruals.

Timesheet Oversight

  • Monitor and audit employee timesheets for accuracy and completeness.
  • Ensures accuracy regarding Vacation, Sick time, Holidays, Bereavement, and other situations regarding paid employee hours.
  • Work with project managers and supervisors to resolve discrepancies.


Job Cost Allocation

  • Ensure labor hours are correctly coded to projects and cost centers.
  • Collaborate with project accounting to reconcile payroll data with job cost reports.


Benefits & Deductions

  • Administer employee benefit deductions, garnishments, employee loans and other withholdings.
  • Ensures that all payroll-related vendor payments are made and maintains reconciliation of all payroll-related general ledger accounts.
  • Coordinate with HR to ensure benefit changes are reflected accurately in payroll.


Reporting & Compliance

  • Prepare payroll reports for internal use and external audits.
  • Analysis of the statistical data from payroll to provide reports to accounting and management regarding the utilization of resources and other information valuable to the organization.
  • Maintain confidentiality and security of payroll records.
  • Ensures that all tax payments, documents, and filings are maintained and compliant on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
  • Coordinates the processing of W-2s with the payroll provider.

Requirements

Required Skills/Abilities:

  • Strong understanding of payroll systems and outsourced payroll processes.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Excel and all Microsoft Office Programs.
  • Strong understanding of all Federal, State and local laws regarding payroll.
  • Familiarity with job costing and labor allocation.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to handle confidential matters with the upmost amount of respect and discretion.
  • Must have excellent customer service skills.
  • Must be able to work well with others and collaborate and contribute to a team environment.

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting with at least 3-5 years of relevant experience, preferably in a construction or project-based environment.
  • Knowledge of payroll in multiple states with different laws & governances.
  • Experience processing Certified Payroll preferred
  • Experience with ERP systems, Sage experience preferred.
  • Experience with Payroll Systems, Paylocity experience preferred.
  • Experience implementing Payroll systems preferred.
  • Payroll Certification(s) preferred.

Physical Requirements:

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Key Skills
Payroll processingLabor cost allocationMicrosoft ExcelTimesheet auditingComplianceGeneral ledger reconciliationData analysisCustomer serviceERP systemsSagePaylocityCertified payrollAttention to detailConfidentialityFinancial reportingBenefits administration
Categories
Finance & AccountingHuman ResourcesConstructionAdministrative
Benefits
Health insuranceBenefits administration
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