Michelle Castello
Kleinberg,Canada
Summary
Detail-oriented Payroll Specialist with a strong track record in managing payroll processes and benefits administration. Proven ability to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while enhancing operational efficiency through data analysis and effective communication with employees and management.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Payroll & Benefits Administrator
Co-Ex-Tec (MAGNA) INC.
Vaughan, Ontario
07.2023 - 08.2026
- Accurately completed weekly payroll and administered the attendance system.
- Processed payroll for employees, ensuring timely and accurate compensation.
- Produced accurate and timely wages, payroll information to employees, Management and Government Agencies.
- Reconciled employees’ hours input from Time and Attendance System (Enterprise Time) into the Payroll System (ADP Workforce Now).
- Ensured transmission of payroll into the Payroll System service in order to receive timely pay cheques/direct deposits by deadline.
- Administered Human Resources personnel policies and practices to support Magna's internal and external customers' needs efficiently.
- Maintained employee records to ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Managed employee benefits enrollment and updates throughout the year.
- Coordinated staff communication with benefit providers to address inquiries and ensure clarity.
- Generated detailed reports on employee benefit costs for budgeting purposes.
- Conducted audits of payroll data to ensure accuracy and compliance standards.
- Assisted in developing payroll procedures to improve operational efficiency.
- Provided training to new employees on payroll systems and procedures.
- Analyzed data from various sources to make sure that payroll transactions are accurate and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
- Assisted employees with questions regarding their compensation or retirement accounts.
- Ensured compliance with all federal, state and local regulations governing payroll and benefits administration.
- Responded promptly to inquiries from management regarding payroll and benefit issues.
- Resolved discrepancies between payroll reports or other financial documents related to payroll or benefits.
- Worked closely with Human Resources department to ensure accurate processing of personnel changes like promotions or terminations.
- Processed new hire paperwork including tax forms, direct deposit information, health insurance enrollment forms.
- Conducted audits of existing payroll systems to identify errors or potential areas for improvement.
- Performed regular audits of internal controls related to payroll and benefits processes.
- Reviewed and clarified collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance with employee rights.
- Coordinated open enrollment events to educate employees about available benefit options.
- Coordinated open enrollment events to educate employees about available benefit options.
Payroll Manager
PLZ CORP INC.
Vaughan, Ontario
03.2019 - 06.2023
- Led payroll team of 4, providing leadership, guidance, coaching, and prioritization; conducted interviews, new hire orientations, and employee counseling.
- Ensured accurate reporting for payroll audit legislative compliance.
- Prepare, reconcile, and file all year-end annual reports for T4 summaries, WSIB, EHT and CRA.
- Yearly preparation, review and maintenance of all year-end analysis on benefit cost and monthly benefit invoices for accuracy.
- Processed T4 forms to ensure timely tax reporting for employees., EHT and WSIB Year-ends with a high level of confidentiality always.
- Developed budgets for approval and analyzed actual versus budgeted employee benefit programs and HR SG&A costs monthly.
- Creates periodic accrual estimates and annual Incentive Plan documents for Operations.
- Managed HRIS and Ulti Pro systems, compiling and analyzing data to support various ad hoc reports.
- Maintenance of Market data within the HRIS system and annual data file for external survey.
- Analysis of HR dashboard data with summary and recommend actionable information Data.
- Support HR team in understanding reports and metrics presented.
Payroll Specialist
REXALL, DRUGSTORE PHARMACY
Mississauga, Ontario
03.2018 - 01.2019
- Processing the full cycle of multi-province, biweekly payroll for salaried and hourly employees.
- Prepared ROE and addressed inquiries from CRA, HRDC, Family Support, and Union.
- Processed payment deductions in compliance with provincial and federal legislation, union agreements, and corporate policies including garnishments, union dues, RRSP, and pensions.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and best practices for wage and hourly regulations.
- Administers various benefits payments such as sick pay, retro pay, vacation pay, etc.
- Processes of internal departments and location managers' payroll inquiries per request.
- Conducted thorough audits by reviewing and organizing financial records and documentation.
Payroll Specialist
CHARTWELL RETIREMENT RESIDENCE
Mississauga, Ontario
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Processed organizational-wide biweekly payroll for salary and hourly employees in union and non-union environments.
- Interprets multiple union contracts ensuring all calculations in the payroll are correct.
- Ensures monthly and year-end regulatory filings are completed on a timely basis.
- Developed and updated complex reports while ensuring compliance with internal controls for all payroll processes.
- Processed benefits and RRSP for new hires and made necessary account changes.
Payroll/Benefit Specialist
CANADIAN BEARING LTD
Mississauga, Ontario
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Reviewed time sheets, work charts, and wage computations to identify and resolve payroll discrepancies, ensuring accurate employee compensation.
- Verify attendance work hours, pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
- Compute wages, deductions and enter the data into the system.
- Processed adjustments to pay records for prior errors or retroactive increases, ensuring compliance with payroll regulations.
- Tracked annual leave balances for employees to ensure accurate records., such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
- Prepared manual cheque payments during payroll processing.
- Processed of new employees record information and input into the payroll system.
Payroll Analyst/Team Lead
PUROLATOR COURIER
Mississauga, Ontario
06.2005 - 03.2014
- Led and coached a team of 15 payroll specialists, managing prioritization, interviewing, new hire orientation, and employee counseling.
- Process weekly payroll entries for 1400 hourly unionized and non-unionized employees.
- Monthly payroll reconciliations to ensure accurate management reporting.
- Prepared ROE and addressed inquiries from CRA, HRDC, Family Support, and union representatives to ensure compliance and support.
- Conducted ad-hoc analysis for compliance and maintained employee master file.
- Reviewed and identified improvement opportunities in payroll processing procedures to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
Accounts Receivable Representative
PUROLATOR COURIER
Mississauga, Ontario
06.1994 - 09.2005
- Consistently decreased A/R aging by maintaining positive, ethical, and professional relationships.
- Investigated invoice discrepancies, adjusted invoices, and posted G/L journal entries.
- Researched database for misapplied payments or invoicing errors and posted correct entries.
- Collaborated with other teams to resolve customer issues promptly, improving customer satisfaction.
- Supported A/P, billing, and data entry functions, including training new team members to enhance team efficiency.
Education
Diploma - Business Administrative / Accounting
HUMBER COLLEGE
TORONTO, ONTARIOSkills
- Payroll administration
- Payroll processing
- Payroll calculations
- Payroll support
- Benefits management
- Benefits administration
- Benefits program management
- Employee relations
- Tax compliance
- Regulatory reporting
- Audit facilitation
- Data analysis
- ADP proficiency
- Time and attendance systems
- Financial recordkeeping
- Enrollment procedures
- Invoicing audits
- Process improvement
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Analytical skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Organizational skills
- Priority management
- Meeting deadlines
- Problem solving
- Team leadership
- Training development
- Training experience
- HR collaboration
- HR experience
- Human resources
- Human resources background
- Performance management
- Team player
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Multitasking
- Multitasking capacity
- Time management
- Time management abilities
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Effective communication
- Written communication
- Verbal communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Interpersonal communication
- Self-motivated
- Customer focus
- Team environments
- Training experience
- Human resources experience
- Payroll experience
- Plan administration
- Enrollment procedures
- Interpersonal communication
- Time management abilities
- Teamwork and collaboration
Training And Skills Development
ON, CPA Level 1, Microsoft Word, Ms Excel, Ms Outlook, SAP, Ceridian Pay Flex, ADP Pay@Work, WFN, Ulti Pro, BI Reports, Day Force, Workday, Jonas, Avanti, PCPW, Report Smith, Crystal Reports, AS-400
Timeline
Payroll & Benefits Administrator
Co-Ex-Tec (MAGNA) INC.
07.2023 - 08.2026
Payroll Manager
PLZ CORP INC.
03.2019 - 06.2023
Payroll Specialist
REXALL, DRUGSTORE PHARMACY
03.2018 - 01.2019
Payroll Specialist
CHARTWELL RETIREMENT RESIDENCE
01.2017 - 01.2018
Payroll/Benefit Specialist
CANADIAN BEARING LTD
01.2016 - 12.2016
Payroll Analyst/Team Lead
PUROLATOR COURIER
06.2005 - 03.2014
Accounts Receivable Representative
PUROLATOR COURIER
06.1994 - 09.2005
Diploma - Business Administrative / Accounting
HUMBER COLLEGE