Specialist I, Payroll

You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back.

With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you’ll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that’s unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you’ll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company’s success. Together, we’ll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world’s best customer experience every day. And we’ll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

How will you make an impact in this role?

This position reports to the Manager-Colleague Servicing. This role is responsible for the timely, compliant and accurate end to end processing of Canada’s Bi-Weekly payroll. This position demands meticulous attention to detail, technological skills, and a commitment to delivering excellent service to our colleagues.

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute Canadian bi-weekly payroll runs, responsible for adjustments for approval and entry. This includes managing employee status changes, benefit deductions, taxable benefits, leaves of absence, new hires, transfers, terminations, and other payroll-related entries.
• Stay abreast of changes in Canadian payroll legislation and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and tax requirements. Support timely tax filing.
• Process and submit all Records of Employment to Service Canada each pay period.
• Year-end preparation, audits and ensuring the balance of tax forms.
• Collaborate with internal stake holders, partners and external vendors to optimize payroll.
• Responsible for timely and comprehensive solution of escalated issues/inquiries related to pay.
• Coordinate payroll system enhancements and ensure proper testing and implementation.
• Audit inputs from upstream systems, files, i.e., HCM software, engaging with the submitter to make corrections as required.
• Ensure meticulous processing of transactions in adherence to internal policies, controls, procedures, and government agency regulations.
• Assist in identifying risks and implementing new controls as needed.
• Cultivate specialized expertise in tax issues, payroll reporting, HCM and ADP software, and other payroll systems through active participation in job training and seminars.
• Engage proactively in team projects.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or as responsibilities.
• Maintain documentation flow for payroll changes, with clear communication with internal departments to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of payroll adjustments.
• Oversee the updating of all Canadian Payroll Processing documents and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping practices, ensuring transactions align with internal policies, procedures, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Support government and American Express leaves of absences appropriate payroll processing.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or a degree in business related function, along with 2-5 years of progressive Canadian payroll experience or equivalent.
• Completion of National Payroll Institute PCP certification (or working towards it) is required.
• Experience with payroll processing systems (e.g., Oracle HCM, ADP Global View, ADP eTime).
• Knowledgeable on Canadian short-term disability and maternity leaves.
• Deep understanding and experience with Canadian Year-end processes and reporting requirements.
• Fluent in English (both written and oral), French considered an asset.
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to the detail.
• Effectively analyze data to problem solve and/or develop rationale and creative solutions.
• Able to manage highly confidential information in a professional manner.
• Able to effectively prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment.
• Able to work independently and is a self-starter.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office suite.
• Proficient in Excel.
• Possess strong interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills and can interact effectively with colleagues at all levels.
  
  

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities
  
  

American Express is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible work environment in which all people who apply for positions or who work for or on behalf of Amex are treated with dignity and respect and are provided with equal treatment with respect to employment, regardless of that person's age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, colour, ancestry, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, religion or creed, marital status, family status, pregnancy, disability, record of offences, social condition or origin, political beliefs, association or activity or other factors prohibited under applicable Human Rights legislation (the “Prohibited Grounds”). If you have a disability and need accommodation, please speak with the Recruiter for more information.

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.