About the Payroll Associate Role

Join Robert Half as a Payroll Associate in the vibrant coastal city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This entry-level position is perfect for recent graduates or early-career professionals with 1+ years of experience who are passionate about payroll processing, HR operations, and accounting support. You'll dive into high-volume, multi-state payrolls for approximately 3,000 employees weekly, mastering systems like ADP Workforce Now and Watson Time & Attendance. Ideal for those seeking hands-on training and career growth in a dynamic environment, this role offers a structured path to advance in payroll, benefits administration, and compliance. Portsmouth, NH, provides an exceptional quality of life with its historic charm, proximity to beaches, and thriving job market in finance and HR sectors.

Why Payroll at Robert Half?

Robert Half is a leader in financial and administrative staffing, offering unparalleled opportunities to build expertise in payroll management. This role emphasizes accuracy, compliance, and collaboration, with comprehensive training to ensure your success. Whether you're calculating overtime, managing garnishments, or auditing records, you'll contribute to seamless operations for a large workforce.

Key Responsibilities

As a Payroll Associate, your days will be filled with impactful tasks that keep payroll running smoothly:

• Process daily, weekly, and biweekly payrolls for ~3,000 employees, handling union contracts and multi-state regulations with precision.
• Manage diverse pay types—hourly, salaried, non-exempt—using ADP Workforce Now and Watson Time & Attendance for efficient data entry and verification.
• Oversee benefits deductions, garnishments, insurance premiums, and other payroll-related adjustments to ensure compliance.
• Compute regular pay, overtime, and shift differentials per federal (FLSA) and state-specific guidelines, minimizing errors.
• Maintain meticulous records for vacation, sick time, LOAs, FMLA, and personnel files, updating systems in real-time.
• Perform regular audits on payroll data for integrity, accuracy, and regulatory adherence.
• Generate custom payroll reports and provide data insights to stakeholders as required.
• Partner with accounting teams on journal postings and reconciliations without direct GL involvement.
• Leverage Excel for data management, with expert-led training to enhance your spreadsheet skills.

Required Qualifications

To thrive in this Payroll Associate role at Robert Half in Portsmouth, NH, bring the following:

• Bachelor's degree or recent graduate status with at least 1 year of professional experience in payroll, HR, accounting, or related fields.
• Detail-oriented mindset with strong organizational skills for high-volume processing.
• Familiarity with payroll software (ADP, Kronos, or similar); training provided for our systems.
• Understanding of payroll laws, including multi-state taxes, garnishments, and wage/hour compliance.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel; advanced training offered on-site.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities to collaborate with accountants and HR.
• Motivated self-starter eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive employee data.

No prior high-volume payroll experience required—our comprehensive onboarding ensures you're equipped to excel.

Why Join Us?

Robert Half offers more than a job; it's a launchpad for your career in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Enjoy excellent training programs from payroll experts, fostering rapid skill development in ADP, compliance, and Excel. This full-time role provides growth opportunities into senior payroll, HR analyst, or accounting positions. Benefit from a supportive culture, competitive salary estimated at $52,000-$68,000 annually (based on Portsmouth market rates), and perks like health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, and professional development. Portsmouth's scenic location—near the Atlantic coast, with easy access to Boston—combines work-life balance with professional fulfillment. SEO keywords: Payroll Associate jobs Portsmouth NH, ADP payroll careers, entry-level HR payroll, multi-state payroll specialist, Robert Half finance jobs. Apply today to process payrolls that matter and build a rewarding future!