Payroll and Benefits Specialist

InProduction•Warrenville, IL

2d•$70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist administers payroll and benefits processing for more than 500 employees. The role ensures employee hours are accurate and employees are paid on time, and supports payroll tax reporting, benefits records administration, and payroll and timekeeping system maintenance. The position supports the Senior Manager of Payroll & Benefits and handles payroll and benefits activities in a multi-state environment. The specialist maintains payroll and personnel records, processes employee changes, audits time and payroll data, responds to employee questions, and helps ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. The role also prepares payroll, benefits, and personnel reports; reconciles payroll items and general-ledger coding; and processes quarter- and year-end reporting as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma required; a bachelor's degree is preferred. In lieu of a degree, 7 or more years of relevant experience will be considered.
3–5 years of experience administering payroll, HRIS, and benefits processes.
Knowledge of basic human resources, multi-state payroll practices, benefits administration, and compliance, or related experience.
Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
Professional manner and excellent customer service skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and judgment skills.
Ability to raise issues to the appropriate level.
Ability to hold self and others accountable for results.
Self-starter with effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Paychex software or a similar payroll application.
Desire to help automate, streamline, and document processes.

Responsibilities

Support the Senior Manager of Payroll & Benefits in processing weekly and bi-weekly payroll for more than 500 employees in a multi-state environment.
Administer employee benefit programs, including enrollments and terminations for company benefits and 401(k).
Maintain records of benefit plan participation and promptly remit premiums to benefit providers.
Administer online COBRA enrollments and changes.
Maintain complete employee personnel files, records, and documentation.
Maintain payroll records in relevant systems and collect, calculate, and enter payroll data into the payroll processing system.
Audit timesheets, timecard reports, and payroll registers for accuracy.
Process new hires, terminations, status changes, leaves of absence, tax changes, deductions, direct deposits, rate changes, adjustments, and special pays.
Update payroll records based on approved changes.
Provide prompt, friendly, and efficient customer service to employees with questions about pay, deductions, or payroll processes.
Protect the confidentiality of payroll data and other sensitive information and restrict access to authorized individuals.
Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements relating to payroll and benefits.
Prepare and distribute payroll, benefits, and personnel reports as directed.
Reconcile payroll-related items, such as gross pay and deductions, to source documents before processing; ensure payroll items have correct general-ledger coding.
Process accurate and timely quarter- and year-end payroll reporting when necessary, including W-2s and tax returns.
Perform other duties as assigned.