Job Description
Position Title: Analyst, Payroll and Benefits Administration
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Existing Vacancy: Yes
Division/Branch: Finance and Risk Management Division / Financial Reporting and Controllership
Application Deadline: April 16, 2026
Pay Level: 9
Pay Range: $88,414 to $110,520
Position Location: Head Office, Toronto, ON; (In-Office)
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is an agency where innovation thrives, ideas flourish, and passion drives us to new heights of excellence. Reporting to the Ministry of the Attorney General, the AGCO is responsible for regulating Ontario’s vibrant alcohol, gaming, horse racing, and private retail cannabis sectors in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.
Are you a payroll and benefits professional who thrives on accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement? Do you enjoy being the trusted subject matter expert others rely on for complex payroll, pension, and benefits matters?
We are seeking an Analyst, Payroll and Benefits Administration to play a critical role in ensuring all payroll, benefits, and pension processes are delivered accurately, compliantly, and on time. Reporting to the Manager, Payroll and Benefits Administration, this hands-on role is ideal for an experienced individual contributor who enjoys ownership, problem solving, and improving end-to-end processes. In this role, you will be a key partner to HR, Finance, Internal Audit, external vendors, and auditors, while also providing functional guidance to Payroll and Benefits Administration Specialists and serving as backup to the Manager as needed.
What You Will Do (but not limited to):
• Act as a subject matter expert for all payroll activities, ensuring compliance with federal and provincial legislation, collective agreements, and organizational policies for unionized and non unionized employees.
• Ensure the validity and integrity of payroll data by reviewing work records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance before each payroll run.
• Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and within required timelines.
• Calculate and process taxable benefits, including automobile taxable benefits.
• Prepare reconciliations and monitor payments to third parties; investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Use financial systems (e.g., IFIS and ARP) to monitor, record, and reconcile payroll related journal entries.
• Perform variance analysis and end to end reconciliations for payroll, benefits, and pension accounts, and lead payroll year end activities.
• Administer group insurance benefits programs, including employee enrollment, coverage changes, and terminations.
• Reconcile benefits invoices and resolve discrepancies with providers and respond to employee inquiries related to benefits and coverage.
• Take the lead on regular internal payroll, benefits, and pension audits.
• Act as the Payroll System Administrator for the internal system, and participate in payroll, benefits, and pension system implementations and enhancements.
You Have:
• Post-secondary degree in business, human resources, accounting, or a related field, combined with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in payroll and benefits administration, including data analysis and reporting.
• Certified Payroll Compliance Professional is a must.
• Expert knowledge in payroll compliance and reporting in a unionized environment with defined benefit pension plans.
• Expert knowledge of legislation affecting payroll and statutory and other requirements.
• Sound knowledge of benefit types and how each benefit type is calculated.
• Excellent knowledge of payroll software applications with a strong ability to address/troubleshoot system issues with the payroll service provider. Experience with Dayforce and/or Oracle Fusion is an asset.
• Knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and procedures related to payroll, benefits, and pension processing.
• Solid experience with preparing, reconciling, and analyzing G/L payroll accounts; general understanding of forecasting and budget processes.
• Experienced with payroll year-end tax forms (T4s, T4As and T2200s) production, reconciliations and regulatory filings.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies.
• Excellent attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy and superior analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality with highly sensitive information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a criminal background check.
Nice to Have:
• Payroll Leadership Professional designation is an asset.
About the AGCO
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is an Ontario provincial regulatory agency that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. We are responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horse racing and cannabis retail sectors in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public interest.
The AGCO is proud to be recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for the second year in a row. This annual distinction reflects our commitment to cultivating a workplace environment that prioritizes employee well-being, emphasizing work-life balance, mental health resources, and opportunities for professional growth. We remain committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for our employees.
What we offer
The AGCO provides a comprehensive range of benefits and programs (subject to eligibility), including:
• Generous time-off policy, including 2 volunteer days to contribute to causes that matter to you.
• Defined benefit pension plans to secure your financial future.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, with 100% employer-paid premiums.
• Well-being credits to support gym memberships, therapy, financial planning, and more.
• Employer-paid parental leave top-up.
• Professional development opportunities with access to training programs, leadership resources, and reimbursement for professional memberships.
• 24/7 confidential support through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Convenient, central location near the subway line for easy access when working in the office. Paid onsite parking is also available.
Please note that only applications submitted through the Applicant Tracking System will be accepted.
The AGCO is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.
The AGCO has the responsibility to lead by example in advancing racial equity and to build a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and the opportunity to fully contribute. To this effect, you are encouraged to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to the role within your application including, but not limited to, individuals identifying with one or more of the under-represented groups identified within Ontario’s Human Rights Code.
Disability related accommodation during the recruitment process is available upon request. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation during the application process, or who need job postings in an alternative format, may email their request to askhr@agco.ca. The subject line should read “Accommodation in Application – [Position Title].
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process. All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by our Human Resources team and hiring managers.
