Benefits & Payroll Specialist

Nature's Grace and Wellness•Vermont, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Nature's Grace and Wellness is seeking a detail-oriented, highly motivated and collaborative Benefits & Payroll Specialist to join our team. This role serves as a critical link between the HR and Accounting departments, ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations. Expertise in payroll tax filings, W-2 issuance, benefit reconciliation, and compliance will be essential for success in this position.

Requirements

Strong understanding of payroll processes, tax filings, and regulatory compliance.
Experience with benefit reconciliation and auditing processes.
High attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative environment.
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Associate's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (Bachelor's preferred).
2+ years of payroll, accounting, or compliance-related experience.
Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems, Microsoft Excel, and reporting tools.
Must be 21 years of age or older.
Must be able to pass a federal background check.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Accounting department to ensure accurate and timely completion of all payroll tax filings, including state and local returns.
Provide employee data to support payroll-related filings and reporting.
Manage all aspects of the company 401(k) plan, including employee enrollment, contributions, plan compliance, vendor coordination, reporting, and responding to employee inquiries.
Collaborate with Accounting to prepare and distribute W-2 forms to employees, verifying accuracy of wages, deductions, and tax withholdings.
Stay current on federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations; implement updates to payroll processes as needed to ensure compliance.
Serve as a primary contact for payroll-related audits and inquiries from government agencies, assisting with documentation and responses.
Maintain accuracy and integrity of payroll and benefits data used for compliance and reporting.
Conduct periodic audits of employee health benefits, reconciling billing statements against payroll deductions and employer contributions.
Investigate and resolve discrepancies between benefit amounts in payroll systems and actual payments.
Process payroll accurately and timely, including review of hours, deductions, adjustments, and compliance with wage and hour laws.
Administer garnishments, child support orders, and other mandatory deductions in compliance with legal requirements.
Manage unemployment claims and disputes, ensuring proper documentation and timely responses.
Prepare and file workers' compensation claims, maintain related records, and support audits.
Process employee reimbursements in accordance with company policy.
Assist with preparation and submission of annual Form 5500 and other benefit-related filings.
Utilize QuickBooks Online (QBO) for payroll and benefits-related functions, reporting, and reconciliation