L. Michelle Montgomery
North Charleston
Summary
Specialist with extensive experience in data reconciliation and compliance assurance. Demonstrates exceptional organizational skills and a commitment to quality service, ensuring accuracy and addressing employee inquiries effectively—skilled in training new staff on payroll systems, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Payroll Specialist
Charleston County School District
North Charleston
01.2024 - Current
- Streamline and confirm reconciliation of payroll data between payroll system and time-keeping systems.
- Process payroll for all employees within the school district.
- Maintain accurate employee records and payroll documentation.
- Respond to inquiries regarding payroll discrepancies and policies.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure compliance with labor regulations.
- Provide timely customer service support to employees regarding questions about their paychecks or other payroll issues.
- Utilize payroll software for data entry and reporting tasks.
- Review timecards for accuracy and completeness prior to processing.
- Assist in the development of payroll procedures and best practices.
Payroll Processing Officer
Charleston County School District
North Charleston
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Oversaw the preparation and processing of all District employees’ pay
- Supervised the Payroll Processing Team and coordinated workflow
- Developed long-range plans to meet management goals and objectives.
- Provided feedback and training to enhance team performance.
- Prepared and filed payroll state and federal tax deposits.
- Generated documentation and reports for annual external audit compliance.
- Facilitated cross-departmental meetings to drive shared process improvements.
- Design and communicate monthly payroll calendars for district central staff departments impacting payroll
- Collaborated with staff to ensure compliance with district policies and regulations.
- Trained new staff on document processing procedures and best practices.
- Investigated any potential issues which may arise during the processing phase.
- Ensured that all deadlines were met in accordance with established standards.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight deadlines.
- Identified areas where improvements could be made in order to streamline processes.
- Performed quality control checks on completed actions prior to submission.
- Liaised with relevant stakeholders when needed in order to resolve any outstanding issues.
Payroll Technician III/Specialist
Charleston County School District
North Charleston
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Facilitate and verify reconciliation of payroll data between MUNIS and Kronos systems
- Process, review and verify payroll data semi-monthly for accuracy
- Process and balance manual check run(s) between paydays as necessary
- Research employee concerns and/or discrepancies in payrolls, time/attendance, and current pay
- Receive, calculate and verify salary changes
- Receive, process and track garnishments and levies
- Research and document overpayments; facilitate, document and track repayments
- Present Payroll principles for new employees during New Hire Orientation
Accounts Payable Clerk
Nucor Steel Berkeley
Huger
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Processed vendor invoices accurately and timely for Nucor Steel Berkeley.
- Maintained organized records of accounts payable transactions and documents.
- Reviewed purchase orders for compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Processed invoices and payments in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Communicated with vendors to resolve discrepancies and payment issues.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline invoice processing workflows.
- Assisted in month-end closing tasks related to accounts payable functions.
- Maintained accounts payable files and records in an organized manner.
Financial/Customer Services Representative
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Charleston
01.2011 - 12.2015
- Identified and verified insurance eligibility
- Educated clients on insurance benefits and payment options, enhancing understanding and facilitating informed decisions.
- Researched, identified, and collected financial liabilities; Advocated for patients
- Provided financial guidance to patients and families, RSFH staff, insurance providers, etc.
- Assessed eligibility for public programs (Medicaid, Medicare, hospital assistance/forgiveness). Make referrals.
- Performed quality checks to prevent billing, ID, or registration issues, safeguarding revenue integrity.
- Handled sensitive information while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
- Delivered exceptional customer service through effective communication skills, fostering positive client relationships.
- First point of customer contact. Verified identification and other demographic information
- Maintained precise appointment scheduling to optimize patient flow and reduce wait times.
- Supported team initiatives to improve customer satisfaction and service quality.
Medical Assistant/ Receptionist
Southeastern Spine Institute (Palmetto Pain Management)
Mt. Pleasant
01.2009 - 12.2012
- Served as first point of customer contact, verifying identification and demographic information to ensure accurate patient records
- Coordinate all appointments; schedule procedures and referrals. Advocate for patients
- Conducted insurance verifications and authorizations, initiating appeals to secure necessary coverage for patient procedures
- Collected and researched data for insurance verifications and authorizations, clarifying financial liabilities for patient accounts
- Review CPT-4/ICD-9 codes for billing submission
- Prepare reports regarding prescription supply and usage details
- Facilitate, schedule and oversee MD/Medical Representative meetings
- Monitor and maintain calendars/schedules for MD management and other medical providers
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English, French, Political Science
Columbia College
Columbia, SC04-2005
Skills
- Payroll administration
- Payroll coordination
- Compliance assurance
- Data reconciliation
- Onboarding support
- Process improvement
- Cross-department collaboration
- Interdepartmental communication
- Documentation accuracy
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite
- Problem solving
- Exceptionally organized
- Client relations
Certification
- Emotional Intelligence, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Critical Thinking Skills, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Time Management, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- MS Power BI: Excel Dashboards, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- MS Power BI: Analyze Data with Excel Pivot, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- MS Power BI: Go Beyond with Power Pivot, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- MS Power BI: Power Query to Transform Data, American Institute of CPAs 2025
- Leading vs Managing, Wiley 2024
- Introduction to Data Analytics, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Applying Data Analytics: Bus Performance, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Applying Data Analytics: Financial Planning and Analysis, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Applying Data Analytics: Revenue Analysis, American Institute of CPAs 2024
- Managing Change, American Institute of CPAs 2025
- Building Personal Resilience, American Institute of CPAs 2025
Timeline
Payroll Specialist
Charleston County School District
01.2024 - Current
Payroll Processing Officer
Charleston County School District
01.2019 - 12.2023
Payroll Technician III/Specialist
Charleston County School District
01.2016 - 12.2019
Accounts Payable Clerk
Nucor Steel Berkeley
01.2015 - 12.2016
Financial/Customer Services Representative
Roper St. Francis Healthcare
01.2011 - 12.2015
Medical Assistant/ Receptionist
Southeastern Spine Institute (Palmetto Pain Management)
01.2009 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Arts - English, French, Political Science
Columbia College