Mara M. Coursey
Las Vegas
Summary
Proven payroll professional with extensive experience in HRIS systems and technical support across large enterprises. Demonstrated success in full cycle payroll processing, payroll and union reporting, process improvements, system implementation, and compliance with federal, multi-state, and union labor laws. Adept in managing complex payroll operations while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Team Lead, Managed Services
Ascend Inc
05.2025 - Current
- Led and mentored payroll specialists through coaching, performance management, and ongoing professional development.
- Oversaw end-to-end payroll processing for multiple clients and employee populations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, local, and company regulations.
- Managed daily team workload distribution, prioritization, and escalation of complex payroll issues.
- Served as the primary point of contact for payroll-related escalations, resolving complex payroll, tax, garnishment, and system issues.
- Conducted payroll audits and quality assurance reviews to ensure payroll accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Collaborated with HR, Benefits, Tax, and Finance departments to support payroll operations and process improvements.
- Developed and maintained payroll procedures, workflows, and best practices to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Monitored service-level agreements (SLAs) and team performance metrics to ensure exceptional client service.
- Led payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process enhancement initiatives.
- Managed client relationships, providing consultative support and guidance on payroll regulations, system functionality, and compliance requirements.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, multi-state, union, and wage-and-hour regulations.
- Identified opportunities for automation and process improvements, resulting in increased operational efficiency and reduced payroll processing errors.
Customer Support Manager
Wurkforce, Inc
10.2020 - 03.2025
- Assisted clients with full cycle payroll processing, benefit management, timekeeping, and reporting for reconciling and accuracy.
- Streamline the support case responses and escalation process as well as continue to train and develop the team members in system functionality, configuration, and navigation.
- Focus on development, supporting the team and client retention.
- Servicing current clients as a system functional expert for Wurk’s platform.
- Working collaboratively with the HR Services, Tax, and Implementation departments to support successful client experience.
- Bringing ideas and strategies to advance the company’s values, unique culture, and vision for the future.
Senior Payroll Specialist
Traemand
Englewood
08.2019 - 10.2020
- Direct point of contact for all payroll in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom.
- Approximately 400 employees in total.
- Lead a successful conversion and implementation from one payroll system to another for the Canada and UK.
- Extract timesheet data from TLM system and process weekly payroll for the USA, Canada, and monthly Payroll & Pension submission for the UK.
- Process manual checks as necessary.
- Ensure the accuracy of pay rate, regular wages, paid time off, commissions, tax deductions, etc.
- Process weekly employee expense reimbursements and respond to any related inquiries.
- Prepare and filed multi-state Sales and Use tax monthly, quarterly and annual returns including Canada GST/HST monthly tax returns.
- Assisted in the preparation of year end payroll tax forms e.g. Form W-2 for the USA, Forms T4 and Revele 1 for Canada, and Forms P60 & PD11 for the UK.
- Englewood, CO
Client Account Manager
Mosaic HCM
Greenwood Village
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Direct point of contact for 160 clients to ensure we met all of the client needs for Payroll, HR, TLM, Applicant Tracking, and Onboarding.
- Offer integrated workforce management solutions to my clients including payroll processing, tax filing, human resources, benefits administration, time and labor management, applicant/recruitment tracking, and background screening.
- Setup Earning and Deduction codes and verifying the applicable taxation, adding new hires, processing terminations, setting up Garnishments and child support deductions.
- Greenwood Village, CO
Corporate Payroll Specialist
Red Robin International
Greenwood Village
05.2014 - 08.2016
- Process high volume bi-weekly payroll for 140 multi-state clients. Specialized work related to the preparation, processing and maintenance of multi state payrolls.
- Accurately perform all data entry, W-4 changes, direct deposit entry.
- Prepare payroll deductions, respond to garnishment documents.
- Process manual checks for an off-cycle payroll.
- Greenwood Village, CO
Corporate Payroll Accountant
Western States Fire Protection CO
Greenwood Village
10.2005 - 04.2014
- Process high volume multi-state, union and certified payroll for approximately 1500 employees.
- Set up and maintain employee master files with a high degree of accuracy.
- Set up New Hires and process Terminations, set up garnishments and processed payments to creditors and child support agencies.
- Support annual financial audit procedures as related to payroll and employee data.
- Identify and facilitate improvements of processes to increase internal efficiencies.
- Perform bank reconciliations and journal entries.
- Process monthly, quarterly and annual payroll tax returns.
- Process monthly union reports for numerous local unions – run union reports to send to local Sprinkler Fitter Unions.
- Prepare and process union dues.
- Process payments to send to the local unions on a Monthly basis.
- Assisted in various Accounts Payable processes when needed.
- Greenwood Village, CO
Skills
- Payroll administration
- Payroll compliance
- Process improvement
- Payroll audits
- System implementation
- Client relationship management
- Team leadership
- Performance management
- Employee development
Timeline
Team Lead, Managed Services
Ascend Inc
05.2025 - Current
Customer Support Manager
Wurkforce, Inc
10.2020 - 03.2025
Senior Payroll Specialist
Traemand
08.2019 - 10.2020
Client Account Manager
Mosaic HCM
08.2016 - 08.2019
Corporate Payroll Specialist
Red Robin International
05.2014 - 08.2016
Corporate Payroll Accountant
Western States Fire Protection CO
10.2005 - 04.2014