Temporary Research Associate Jobs in Barrington, RI

Payroll Analyst – Temporary Assignment

THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION

University of Rhode Island
Schedule: 35 hours per week
Assignment Length: Approximately 4 months.
Pay Rate: $35.00 per hour

Join the Team

The University of Rhode Island is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll Analyst for an approximately four-month temporary assignment. This is an excellent opportunity for a payroll professional who enjoys working with complex data, resolving employee pay issues, and ensuring payroll is processed accurately and on time.

The Payroll Analyst will support biweekly payroll processing, timecard auditing, payroll corrections, retroactive adjustments, and employee pay inquiries. This position works closely with employees, supervisors, Human Resources, and departmental contacts to ensure compliance with established policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the accurate and timely processing of high-volume, biweekly payroll.
• Review and audit employee timecards for accuracy, completeness, and proper authorization.
• Research, identify, and resolve payroll and timekeeping discrepancies.
• Coordinate with employees, supervisors, HR, and departments to obtain corrections and approvals.
• Process retroactive pay adjustments, payroll corrections, and other special payments.
• Review employee pay statements and investigate compensation-related questions.
• Ensure payroll transactions comply with organizational policies, procedures, and union contract requirements.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation.
• Analyze payroll data to identify discrepancies, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with payroll reporting, audits, reconciliations, and compliance reviews.
• Support ongoing improvements to payroll processes and procedures.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries with professionalism, accuracy, and excellent customer service.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience processing high-volume, biweekly payroll.
• Experience auditing employee time records and payroll transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to research and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Experience processing retroactive pay adjustments and payroll corrections.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, wage calculations, and payroll regulations.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience analyzing large datasets and reconciling payroll information.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with employees at all levels.

Education and Specialized Knowledge

• Some college coursework is preferred.
• An associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, human resources, or a related field is a plus.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and union payroll requirements is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of how union contracts affect wages, shift differentials, overtime, and other special-pay situations is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Workday and/or PeopleSoft payroll systems.
• Payroll experience within a unionized workplace.
• Experience supporting payroll process-improvement initiatives.
• Public-sector, healthcare, higher-education, or large-enterprise payroll experience.
• Experience assisting with payroll audits and compliance reviews.

Who Will Succeed in This Role?

The ideal candidate is:

• Highly organized and exceptionally detail-oriented.
• Comfortable working with large amounts of payroll data.
• Skilled at investigating and resolving complex payroll issues.
• Proactive about obtaining necessary corrections and approvals.
• Professional and responsive when assisting employees with pay concerns.
• Dependable and composed under critical payroll deadlines.
• Committed to accuracy, confidentiality, and excellent customer service.

If you have strong payroll experience and are ready to contribute immediately, we encourage you to apply!

Your Complete Satisfaction is Our Number One Goal
Since 1978, we have specialized in supplying temporary and direct hire staffing to Rhode Island corporations of all types - including banks, hospitals, manufacturing firms, colleges, professional and legal firms, and governmental agencies.