Operations Specialist Payroll Coordinator

Lorri Schwarz

Aurora, IL ***** 773-***-**** *************@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/lorri-schwarz/

PAYROLL COORDINATOR

Results-driven payroll and financial operations specialist with over 20 years of experience managing end-to-end payroll processing, financial reporting, benefits administration, and client implementations across diverse industries. Known for streamlining processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency in high-volume, multi-state, and union environments. Proven track record of delivering cost-saving strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and providing exceptional client service. Adept at utilizing a wide range of financial systems, including ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks, and Salesforce, with a strong foundation in accounting principles, budgeting, and process optimization. A dependable leader and collaborative team player with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Professional Highlights

Processed accurate payroll for 300+ union employees, interpreting collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance.

Spearheaded payroll system migration with IT/HR, boosting data accuracy and minimizing transition downtime.

Reduced reporting errors by aligning QuickBooks billing entries with cost allocation methods.

Developed and implemented standardized payroll and billing SOPs to support process consistency and audit readiness.

Strategically optimized benefits programs, cutting healthcare costs by 30% and saving $1.4M annually.

Delivered onboarding and payroll software training for 26K+ new clients annually, maintaining the lowest rejection rate.

Used advanced Excel functions (e.g., VLOOKUP) to streamline weekly commission calculations for union drivers.

Core Expertise

Finance Data Confidentiality Auditing Payroll Tax Laws Case Management Quality Control Process Improvement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Tax Audits Software Development General Ledger Tax Compliance Payroll Administration Excellent Organizational Skills Labor Laws Account Reconciliation Client Needs Assessment Business Enhancement Data Entry Data Analysis CRM Payroll Processing SaaS Training & Onboarding Budgeting Revenue Growth Cloud Computing Cash Flow Management People Management Multi-State Payroll Cost Accounting Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Office Management Benefits Administration Billing Coding Support Human Resources Time Management Customer Service Sales & Marketing Business Forecasting Regulatory Compliance Leadership & Collaboration Cultural Sensitivity & Awareness

Professional Experience

NDA Payroll Consultant Food & Beverage Industry August 2024 – May 2025

Partnered with IT and HR to lead a successful system migration, minimizing downtime and enhancing data accuracy.

Calculated retroactive pay, shift differentials, union dues, and benefits while ensuring compliance with union contracts and labor regulations.

Collaborated with HR and union reps to implement contract provisions, avoiding disputes and ensuring payroll consistency.

Used advanced Excel functions like VLOOKUP to calculate weekly commissions for union delivery drivers, minimizing errors and saving time.

Developed and documented SOPs for payroll and billing workflows, leveraging new software tools to boost operational efficiency.

Managed union payroll for 300+ employees across multiple units, ensuring alignment with collective bargaining agreements.

Payroll & Financial Specialist Custom Mailing Service, Wheeling, IL September 2023 – July 2024

Oversaw all aspects of AP/AR, ensuring timely invoicing and vendor payments while maintaining accurate ledger balances.

Led financial compliance initiatives, adhering to internal policies and regulatory standards to mitigate risk and ensure audit readiness.

Managed departmental budgets, monitored expenditures, and provided strategic recommendations to support cost efficiency.

Prepared and analyzed financial reports, delivering actionable insights to leadership and improving decision-making accuracy.

Directed cost control and financial planning, resulting in tighter budget adherence and improved forecasting accuracy.

Ensured full compliance with financial regulations and company policies, reducing potential liabilities and increasing operational integrity.

Administered full-cycle payroll, including all aspects of wage tracking, deductions, tax compliance, and employee disbursement.

Streamlined billing operations by aligning QuickBooks entries with cost allocation strategies, reducing reporting errors.

Implementation Specialist Surepayroll, a Paychex Company, Glenview, IL November 2006 – September 2023

Implemented new client setups per company protocols, adhering to SLAs and facilitating smooth transitions to online software and services while managing bank/entity changes and setting up new states and EINs for existing clients to ensure service continuity.

Screened new sales kits from Sales to guarantee accuracy and completeness, maintaining high standards in documentation.

Managed QTD/YTD wage and deduction balances and reconciled client data accurately, contributing to seamless operations.

Developed elaborate user documentation covering processes and troubleshooting methods, enhancing operational efficiency.

Fostered robust relationships with sales teams, clients, and colleagues, providing support and implementing corrective actions.

Facilitated 26K+ new businesses annually from 2014-2018, achieving the lowest rejection rate of enrollment data among a team of 12.

Led training sessions for clients on payroll policies and procedures in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Proficiently managed multi-state payrolls for customers, demonstrating versatility and expertise in payroll processing.

Increased revenue by 12% annually through effective account management, client retention, mentoring, and implementation strategies.

Addressed client rejections promptly to enhance client satisfaction and uphold the commitment to excellence in customer service.

Managed a team of 8 implementation specialists, overseeing new software testing and collaborating to resolve technical issues.

Uploaded client kits into ORS for future reference, maintaining comprehensive Taxpay client information in the system.

Tailored solutions to industry-specific workflows, client bases, and protocols, ensuring customized implementations met client needs.

Oversaw inventory and implementation queue using Salesforce, managing technical support tickets based on customer requirements.

Payroll & Benefits Manager Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago Inc., Chicago, IL March 2002 – October 2006

Managed payroll operations using ADP across nine Chicago offices, ensuring accuracy while educating new hires on benefit plans.

Contributed to budgeting processes for all nine offices, attended monthly meetings, and reported to the Board of Directors.

Implemented various processes, achieving a 30% reduction in healthcare costs by strategically analyzing and supporting insurance programs with lower annual rates, resulting in savings of $1.4 million annually for health, dental, and vision insurance.

Proficiently developed and administered comprehensive employee benefit programs, including health insurance benefits, 403b plans, vacation and sick leave policies, and disability benefits, improving employee satisfaction and retention.

Stayed updated on trends to identify opportunities for enhancing benefit offerings and providing attractive packages for employees.

Audited benefit programs and agreements, optimizing service delivery and compliance with company policies and legal requirements.

Revised employee benefit programs for 300+ employees, aligning them with legal standards to ensure fairness and consistency.

Education & Professional Development

Associate of Applied Science in Business, Accounting – City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College, Chicago, IL

Volunteer Work Experience

Volunteer – Heartland Animal Shelter, Wheeling, IL 2013 – 2015

Volunteer – Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter, Riverwoods, IL 2008 – 2012

Volunteer, Financial Board – Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Elk Grove, IL 2002 – 2007

Volunteer – Guide Dogs of America, Sylmar, CA 2000

Computer & Technical Skills

Paychex, QuickBooks, InFlow Inventory, Surecalc, HCM, ERP, Salesforce, WebEx, Paychoice, Quicken, uAttend, MyStaff, Suresuite, ADP, Quicken Software, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

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