Preference will be given to qualified employees, as defined in the Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement. Should a suitable candidate not be found, external candidates will be considered.
The Payroll Specialist provides exceptional customer service and applies advanced knowledge of payroll legislation, collective agreements, college policies, and payroll procedures to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely end-to-end payroll processing for employees and other payees. The scope and complexity of payroll in the college environment require a broad understanding of diverse employment scenarios, earnings and deduction types, taxation requirements, and the ability to exercise professional judgment in the interpretation and application of payroll regulations and policies.
What You’ll Be Doing
Payroll Processing & Administration
- Running and supporting full-cycle bi-weekly payroll processing ensuring payroll deadlines are met and issues are identified and resolved in a timely manner;
- Auditing and validating pay-related transactions in the PeopleSoft HCM system for employee and non-employee payments across multiple contract types to ensure accuracy, completeness, compliance, and the integrity of payroll data;
- Utilizing Time and Labour validation rules to ensure timesheet submissions and exception time reports are accurate for pay processing;
- Monitoring, calculating, and adjusting employee earnings, taxable benefits, and deductions as required;
- Interpreting and applying collective agreements, employment legislation, payroll regulations, and organizational policies to resolve payroll issues and ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing;
- Ensuring payroll costing and earnings distributions are accurately recorded and reported to support payroll accounting and financial reporting requirements;
Payroll Compliance, Reconciliations & Reporting
- Supporting statutory remittances and government reporting requirements to ensure compliance with Canada Revenue Agency legislation and other regulatory requirements;
- Ensuring earnings, taxable benefits, and deductions are accurately reported for year-end tax slips and related reporting activities;
- Performing payroll reconciliations, balancing activities, remittances, payroll-related journal entries, and post-payroll reporting to ensure payroll accuracy and financial integrity;
- Maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and security of employee payroll information in accordance with organizational policies and privacy legislation;
Payroll Service & Issue Resolution
- Providing exceptional customer service by responding to payroll inquiries, researching complex issues, and communicating resolutions to employees, departments, and external stakeholders in a timely and professional manner;
- Investigating payroll discrepancies and recommending corrective actions to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing;
- Serving as a payroll subject matter resource by providing guidance and support to departments and less experienced team members on payroll processes, procedures, and collective agreement interpretation;
Payroll Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Participating in payroll-related projects and system initiatives, including process reviews, testing, implementation activities, and change management support;
- Contributing to the continuous improvement of payroll processes, controls, and operational efficiencies;
- Performing other related duties as assigned.
About You
You have the skills and knowledge to work effectively with an increasingly diverse employee and student population and demonstrate a commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful service.
Your professionalism, discretion, and strong interpersonal and communication skills enable you to build effective working relationships and provide exceptional service to employees, departments, and external partners.
You possess a strong understanding of payroll legislation, payroll processes, and compliance requirements and are comfortable interpreting collective agreements, policies, and regulatory requirements to resolve complex payroll issues.
You are highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities and strict payroll deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
You are an analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and experience investigating discrepancies, reconciling payroll information, and identifying practical solutions.
You demonstrate sound judgment, strong prioritization and planning skills, and work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a payroll team in a fast-paced environment.
You understand the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance in payroll administration and take pride in delivering high-quality work in a deadline-driven environment.
The successful candidate will also meet the following qualifications:
- Three-year diploma or degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive payroll administration experience in a complex payroll environment (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered).
- PCP designation from the National Payroll Institute is required.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying collective agreements, employment legislation, and payroll policies.
- Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with payroll legislation, regulatory requirements, and payroll best practices.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, data analysis, and reconciliation activities.
- Experience processing payroll in a complex, unionized environment using an enterprise HRIS/payroll system (PeopleSoft HCM preferred).
- Knowledge of accounting principles, payroll reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger distributions is considered an asset.
Who We Are
Every member of the Sheridan community is passionate about the transformational role we play in people’s lives. Our strategic plan, Sheridan 2027: Forging the Future (https://www.sheridancollege.ca/sheridan2027), charts a path towards a new ground-breaking model of higher education that reshapes post-secondary education and better prepares students for the future. We are committed to demonstrably advancing equity, diversity and inclusivity. Diversity is our strength and fuels our commitment to excellence. Across our campuses, we’re making meaningful strides towards developing an equitable and inclusive community.
- For more information, visit: Why Work at Sheridan
Other Details
Faculty/Department: Financial Services
Primary Work/Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)
Work Categorization: Hybrid Position | At least 3 days/week on-site
Employee Group: Support Staff
Type of Vacancy: This is a replacement position
Payband: I
Hourly Range: $40.39 - $46.64
Hours/Week: 37.5
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Application Deadline: July 3, 2026
First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.
Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.
Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.
Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Sheridan will provide job applicants with accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources.
You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire, we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments, if applicable.
