Payroll, Benefits, & Retirement Plans Specialist

Abacus Group LLC•Atlanta, GA

2h•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR Operations, the Payroll, Benefits & Retirement Plans Specialist serves as the subject matter expert responsible for end-to-end payroll processing, benefits administration, and retirement plan management for Abacus Group’s US operations. This critical role ensures accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery of all payroll and benefits functions for approximately 800-900 US employees across multiple states. This position requires deep technical expertise in multi-state payroll processing within Workday, comprehensive knowledge of federal and state tax regulations, and proven ability to manage complex benefits and 401(k) administration. The successful candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for payroll vendors, act as the Workday payroll power user, and ensure full compliance with FLSA, tax law, SOC 2 audit requirements, and DOL regulations. This role has been created in response to critical operational needs, system configuration challenges during Workday implementation, and gaps in benefits and retirement plan administration. The ideal candidate will bring immediate expertise to stabilize operations, implement robust compliance controls, and support the Senior Manager, HR Operations in establishing best-in-class payroll and benefits delivery. This role reports to the Alpharetta, GA office on a hybrid basis.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, tax regulations, and wage-hour compliance
Deep understanding of FLSA, tax withholding, garnishments, and payroll compliance requirements
Advanced Workday Payroll proficiency including configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization
Proven ability to identify and prevent payroll before they occur
Strong understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliation, and financial controls
Experience with payroll vendor management and service delivery expectations
Comprehensive knowledge of benefits administration including health, dental, vision, life, and disability plans
Strong understanding of 401(k) plan administration, compliance testing (ADP, ACP, Top-Heavy), and DOL requirements
Experience with ACA reporting, COBRA administration, and benefits compliance
Knowledge of leave of absence administration including FMLA, STD, and LTD coordination
Ability to manage benefits and 401(k) vendor relationships effectively
Understanding of benefits enrollment systems and open enrollment processes
Strong compliance orientation with deep understanding of SOC 2, DOL audit requirements, and IRS regulations
Ability to identify compliance risks and implement preventive controls
Experience with audit preparation, documentation, and response
Understanding of internal controls and segregation of duties principles
Proactive approach to catching errors before they impact employees or create compliance violations
Advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and complex formulas
Strong HRIS proficiency with ability to configure systems and troubleshoot issues independently
Ability to generate, analyze, and interpret payroll and benefits reports
Experience with payroll integrations, data feeds, and system interfaces
Comfortable learning new systems and adapting to technology changes
Strong analytical capabilities with attention to detail and accuracy
Independent problem-solver who can troubleshoot complex issues without extensive guidance
Ability to identify root causes of errors and implement sustainable solutions
Process improvement mindset with ability to streamline workflows and increase efficiency
Critical thinking skills to evaluate situations and make sound decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex payroll and benefits concepts clearly
Strong customer service orientation with ability to respond professionally to employee inquiries
Collaborative approach with ability to work effectively with HR Operations team, finance, and external vendors
Ability to escalate issues appropriately and keep stakeholders informed
Professional demeanor with strong discretion handling confidential payroll and benefits information
Extreme attention to detail with zero tolerance for errors in payroll processing
Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
Self-directed and able to work independently with minimal supervision
Calm under pressure with ability to handle time-sensitive payroll processing deadlines
Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues before they escalate
Strong work ethic with commitment to accuracy and timeliness
5+ Years Multi-state payroll processing experience
2+ Years Workday Payroll experience required (hands-on configuration and processing)
Benefits administration including health, dental, vision, life, and disability plans
401(k) plan administration including compliance testing and vendor management
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in Business, Accounting, Human Resources, or related field
Post-merger payroll integration or complex payroll system implementations
SOC 2 or external audit support experience
Professional services, healthcare, or PE-backed environment
Certified Employee Benefits Specialist or similar benefits certification
Workday Payroll certification or comparable advanced Workday training

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end payroll processing in Workday for 800-900 US employees across multiple states
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations including wage-hour laws, garnishments, and multi-state requirements
Configure and maintain Workday payroll rules, deductions, and earnings codes with precision and accuracy
Process off-cycle payrolls including bonuses, commissions, severance payments, and corrections
Reconcile payroll accounts and resolve discrepancies proactively to prevent errors
Manage payroll tax filings and year-end W-2 processing
Serve as primary point of contact for payroll vendor, managing relationships and escalations
Identify and resolve payroll errors before they impact employees, acting as compliance safety net
Support SOC 2 and DOL audit requirements related to payroll controls and documentation
Administer health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance plans
Support open enrollment and new hire benefits onboarding processes
Manage benefits vendor relationships and resolve escalations
Ensure accurate benefits deductions and reconciliations in Workday
Support leave of absence administration including STD, LTD, and FMLA coordination
Maintain compliance with ACA reporting and other benefits regulatory requirements
Administer 401(k) plan including eligibility, enrollments, and contributions
Coordinate annual compliance testing including ADP, ACP, and Top-Heavy testing
Manage 401(k) vendor relationship with Fidelity or other provider
Process loan and distribution requests in compliance with plan documents
Support plan audits and Form 5500 filing preparation
Ensure accurate 401(k) deductions and employer contributions in payroll system
Serve as Workday payroll power user, troubleshooting system errors and optimizing workflows
Configure and maintain Workday payroll rules, deductions, and system parameters
Identify opportunities to improve payroll accuracy, efficiency, and compliance controls
Develop and maintain payroll and benefits procedures documentation
Train HR Operations team members on payroll and benefits processes as needed
Generate and analyze payroll reports and metrics for leadership review