About this role
The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for independently managing the Company's full-cycle payroll and employee benefits administration. This position serves as the primary point of contact and internal resource for payroll and benefits, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, maintaining appropriate payroll controls and documentation, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. The position also supports the HR Generalist in administering Human Resources programs and services. · Independently manage and process full-cycle payroll from timekeeping review through payroll submission, verification, funding, reconciliation, and post-payroll reporting, including pay rates, salaries, bonuses, commissions, time worked, paid leave, deductions, tax withholdings, and employee record updates. · Review and reconcile employee timekeeping records and work with supervisors and Human Resources to resolve discrepancies involving hours worked, overtime, paid time off, and other payroll inputs prior to payroll processing. · Ensure payroll deductions for taxes, benefits, garnishments, charitable contributions, and other authorized deductions are processed accurately. · Reconcile payroll registers and payroll-related accounts and coordinate with Accounting on general ledger and bank reconciliations. · Process payroll adjustments, including replacement checks, direct deposit corrections, and final paychecks as needed. · Develop, document, and maintain payroll procedures, processing calendars, internal controls, and backup processes to ensure payroll accuracy, consistency, and continuity. · Prepare and process federal and state payroll tax deposits in accordance with applicable regulations. · Coordinate and verify year-end payroll processing, including W-2s, employee information, payroll tax reporting, and other required year-end payroll activities. · Conduct employee benefits orientations and guide the benefits self-enrollment system. · Maintain employee benefits records and ensure benefit elections and changes are accurately entered into the payroll system for payroll deductions. · Respond to employee payroll and benefits inquiries, including questions related to enrollment, claims, deductions, and other benefit-related issues. · Serve as the primary employee resource for benefits enrollment, eligibility, payroll deductions, qualifying life events, and coordination with benefit providers and brokers as needed. · Assist the HR Generalist with benefits renewals, reporting, compliance activities, and other Human Resources projects as assigned. · Ensure required employee benefit notices are distributed in accordance with applicable regulations. · Maintain organizational charts, employee directories, personnel records, and other Human Resources reports. · Assist the HR Generalist with maintaining and digitizing employee records and providing administrative support for Human Resources projects as assigned. · Maintain accurate employee payroll and HRIS records, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, tax elections, deductions, benefit elections, and other employee status changes. · Support payroll and benefits audits, identify and resolve discrepancies, and prepare payroll and Human Resources reports as requested. · Perform other related duties as assigned.