PAYROLL & BENEFITS SPECIALIST

YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina•Wilmington, NC

7h•$46,050 - $57,563•Onsite

About The Position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and administration of employee benefits for the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina. As a member of the Finance team, this position plays a critical role in maintaining payroll accuracy, financial controls, reconciliations, employee data integrity, and compliance. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist works closely with Finance, Human Resources, supervisors, and employees to ensure payroll and benefit transactions are accurately recorded and processed. This position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical and organizational skills, confidentiality, and the ability to manage recurring deadlines within a workforce that includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
Two or more years of experience in payroll, accounting, benefits administration, or a related function preferred.
Experience with multi-department or multi-location payroll and full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees is also preferred.
Working knowledge of payroll, timekeeping, deductions, benefits, and applicable wage and hour requirements.
Understanding of payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliation, financial reporting, and internal controls preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ability to analyze large amounts of employee and financial data.
Experience with SGA, Paylocity, or other HRIS, payroll, and accounting systems preferred; willingness to learn new systems required.
Strong numerical, analytical, and reconciliation skills, with the ability to identify discrepancies, research causes, and resolve issues.
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet multiple recurring deadlines accurately.
Strong communication, customer-service, and collaboration skills, including the ability to explain payroll and benefits information clearly and work across Finance and Human Resources.
Sound judgment and discretion with confidential information, a commitment to process improvement, and alignment with the YMCA’s mission and values.
CPR & First Aid – Must be able to complete and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid; able to assist individuals in need until professional help arrives.
Emergency Response – Ability to quickly identify emergency situations (medical, fire, environmental, etc.) and respond appropriately following established procedures.
Incident Management – Required to report all safety incidents and hazards immediately and accurately to supervisors.
Safe Environment – Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and hazard-free environment for all staff, members, and participants.
Physical Readiness – Must be able to perform physical tasks related to safety, including assisting individuals of various ages and physical abilities.
Compliance – Follow all YMCA safety protocols, OSHA standards, and state/local regulations as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
Two or more years of experience in payroll, accounting, benefits administration, or a related function.
Experience with multi-department or multi-location payroll and full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
Understanding of payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliation, financial reporting, and internal controls.
Experience with SGA, Paylocity, or other HRIS, payroll, and accounting systems.
Ability to recognize discrepancies and independently research potential causes.
Strong technology skills and willingness to learn new systems.
Strong collaboration skills, particularly when working across Finance and Human Resources.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.
Commitment to continuous process improvement and strong internal controls.
Commitment to the YMCA's mission and values.

Responsibilities

Process semimonthly payroll accurately and on time, reviewing timecards, pay rates, earnings, deductions, reimbursements, adjustments, and other transactions before submission.
Process payroll changes for new hires, terminations, transfers, compensation changes, and other employee transactions. Work with supervisors and Human Resources to resolve timekeeping and pay discrepancies.
Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation; prepare reports and perform routine audits for accuracy and data integrity.
Reconcile payroll activity to the general ledger, research discrepancies, and ensure expenses are assigned to the correct departments, programs, locations, cost centers, and accounts.
Process garnishments, tax levies, and other required deductions. Assist with quarterly and year-end reconciliations and W-2 processing.
Administer YMCA-sponsored medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and other benefits, including timely enrollments, changes, and terminations.
Verify that payroll deductions match employee elections; reconcile carrier invoices with enrollment and deduction records; and resolve discrepancies.
Coordinate with Human Resources on eligibility and employment-status changes, and assist employees with enrollment, deductions, eligibility, and benefit resources.
Support open enrollment through system updates, employee elections, deduction changes, and reconciliation. Work with carriers, brokers, retirement plan administrators, and other vendors.
Maintain accurate benefit records.
Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet and general ledger accounts; prepare assigned journal entries and supporting documentation.
Review payroll expenses and labor allocations, and research differences among payroll, HRIS, benefits, and accounting systems.
Assist with month-end and year-end close, and prepare documentation for financial, retirement plan, workers’ compensation, and other audits.
Generate payroll, labor distribution, benefits, and workforce reports while maintaining appropriate processing controls and documentation.
Maintain accurate payroll and benefit data in Paylocity and applicable accounting systems; verify employee changes and the flow of information among Payroll, Benefits, Human Resources, and Finance.
Audit data, generate and analyze reports, and assist employees and supervisors with payroll, timekeeping, and system questions.
Support system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process improvements, and maintain written payroll and benefit procedures.
Respond professionally to employee payroll and benefit questions.
Partner with Human Resources on status changes, compensation, eligibility, onboarding, and separations, and with Finance on payroll accounting, reconciliations, budgeting, and reporting.
Identify ways to improve payroll and benefit processes, controls, accuracy, and efficiency.
Perform other duties as assigned.