Jobs › Baker Tilly

Senior Specialist, Outsourced Payroll (ADP WFN)

Baker Tilly · IL · Remote available · $55,000–$91,500 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you trained or helped a less experienced payroll specialist.

What they are checking: Leadership and coaching, which a senior specialist is expected to provide.

Tell me about a complex payroll problem you solved. How did you figure it out?

What they are checking: Whether they can untangle a messy payroll problem on their own, which is what the senior level is for.

What would you do

A client's payroll went out with wrong deductions for a benefit plan. What steps do you take?

What they are checking: Ability to fix errors correctly, including tax and benefit adjustments, while keeping the client informed.

A client keeps making last-minute changes that create risk of errors. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Ability to set boundaries and improve the client's process while staying service-minded.

About the work

Walk me through setting up a new client in ADP Workforce Now.

What they are checking: Deep, hands-on WFN knowledge, which the senior level requires beyond processing payroll.

How do you handle multi-state payroll for a client with employees in several states?

What they are checking: Knowledge of state withholding, reciprocity and unemployment rules that create common errors.

How do you handle year-end tasks like W-2s and reconciliations for your clients?

What they are checking: Experience with year-end processes where errors create amended filings and penalties.

How do you reconcile payroll to the general ledger or tax filings?

What they are checking: Whether they verify that payroll totals match what was paid and filed.

How do you set up and test reports in WFN that a client asks for?

What they are checking: Reporting skill in the system, which adds value for outsourced clients.

How do you keep up with changes in payroll law and tax rates?

What they are checking: Whether they stay current so clients don't get penalties from outdated rules.

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The full job description

As published by Baker Tilly.

Overview Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring. Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law. Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system. Job Description: Responsibilities: Client Service & Deliverables • Ensure client payroll information is accurate within their specific payroll system and resolve any discrepancies • Review and/or process payrolls in a timely manner to meet client deadlines to include updating employee records, calculating/paying bonuses or severance, reviewing accuracy of federal and state income related tax calculations, and reconciling payroll deposits, tax withholdings, wage garnishments, etc. • Prepare reports of employee earnings, taxes, deductions, and employer’s contribution for social security and unemployment Client Service • Establish strong and trusted client relationships by effectively consulting with clients on all payroll related matters • Maintain confidence of employee data by keeping all information confidential • Accurately convey detailed information in both written and verbal format • Provide technical software support to clients • Identify and accurately capture out of scope work • Identify new opportunities to expand services to clients Implementation & Technology • Be an additional resource to the implementation team when needed • Interview clients to gain understanding of payroll needs • Manage new client implementation projects, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction • Train clients on payroll processes as necessary Individual and Team Development • Be a resource to new hires and/or less experienced staff as it relates to clients, software, payroll, and/or processes • Provide honest feedback to new hires/less experienced staff in a timely manner • Help build team capabilities and knowledge by sharing insights and lessons learned • Research and maintain product knowledge on ADP software platforms • Maintain current knowledge of local, state, and federal practices and laws Qualifications: • 3 years of relevant payroll experience • Bachelor's degree preferred, experience can be considered in lieu of degree • CPP preferred • Experience with ADP RUN software and implementation experience • Working knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite • Highly detail oriented and focused on accuracy • Strong organization and time management skills • Strong adaptability and multi-tasking skills • Ability to effectively work in a deadline driven environment serving multiple clients • Ability to provide exceptional client service • Strong written and verbal communication skills; appropriately and professionally communicates with all levels • Ability to learn new technology and processes quickly • Ability to learn from experiences and integrate new knowledge and skills into daily work and share with colleagues as appropriate The pay range for this position is $55,000 to $91,500. This range represents a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation the firm expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on a variety of relevant factors, including an applicant’s skills, experience, qualifications, professional certifications, work arrangements, geographic location, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Baker Tilly offers a compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.

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