At Raymond, we have outstanding employees, so we decided to feature some of them on our blog. We’d like to highlight Diana Devora, Senior Payroll Specialist in Southern California.
Diana has been with Raymond for five years, and in the industry for 10. As a senior payroll specialist, Diana is responsible for comprehensive management of payroll operations, including reconciliation, processing deductions and payments, preparing reports, handling garnishments, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and more.
We sat down with Diana to learn more about her and her time at Raymond.
What does a typical day look like for you? A typical day as a payroll specialist at Raymond involves a mix of routine tasks and specific duties related to customer service and employee file management. Not every day is the same, so I’ll describe my Tuesdays which are payroll processing days. Tuesdays, I check messages focusing on all that will affect the payroll cycle. I move on to verify timecards against my active job list looking for discrepancies and missing information. I generate and review reports to verify payroll calculations. There is constant communication between the jobsite foreman, project manager, project accountant, and myself. We all follow a long list of procedures to ensure both the field and company are taken care of. Processing takes a couple of hours, ensuring progress reports can proceed the following day without interrupting the workflow of others. Once this part is completed, reports are sent to corporate for direct deposit and payroll taxes.
What’s the best thing about your job? I enjoy providing accurate and timely pay for employees, because it directly affects their livelihoods. I also like navigating complex regulations and solving payroll issues. Feeling like I am contributing to significant construction projects adds to my sense of accomplishment. And of course team building events (pictured below)!
What brought you into the construction industry? I was drawn to construction payroll because of its interesting challenges and opportunities. Handling payroll in construction is complex, with different job sites, project-focused tasks, union rules, and wage standards. It’s a dynamic field where I feel like I can thrive and use my expertise.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Accurate time tracking, working with large amounts of data, and sorting out payroll issues. These are key challenges that test my attention to detail and organizational skills!
Favorite thing to do? I enjoy off-roading with my family and boyfriend. It’s thrilling, brings us closer together, and allows us to explore the great outdoors!
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? The best advice I’ve received is to approach every challenge with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
What inspires you? My mom and my grandpa. They’ve taught me that no matter the challenge, it can get done.
What is the best place you have traveled to and why? Vicente Guerrero, Durango because it is my birthplace, and I got to experience it for the first time with my significant other.
How do you balance your career and your family? When I’m at work I focus on work and on my days off I try to spend most of my time with my family enjoying their company and doing things we love to do together.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us? I’d like to thank Raymond for helping me extend my knowledge by allowing me to attend my first Payroll Congress in May of 2024!
What is something most people are often surprised to learn about you? I enjoy outdoor shooting.
