Payroll & Benefits Specialist

TopDog Law

About The Position

In this role, you will be responsible for: Manage and process biweekly payroll for TDL and TDT Indirectly oversee the GT payroll (Maddie handles this directly) Ensure compliance with state-by-state payroll tax laws Withholdings, unemployment insurance, worker's comp, etc Answer employee questions regarding payroll issues Ensure the benefits enrollment process goes smoothly for the employees Field questions from employees on benefits topics Ensure benefit deductions are applied correctly to paychecks Review benefits statements from our vendors to ensure correct billing and approve payment Reach out to State Revenue Departments as needed to resolve payroll-related tax issues. Rippling will mostly handle this, but this person will need to interact with Rippling to hold them accountable. Oversee the administration of our 401(k) plan, ensuring compliance with annual testing and auditing Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, or outcomes—not just following existing playbooks At TopDog Law, everyone is expected to think critically, communicate clearly, and take ownership of their work. How This Role Drives the Business This role is critical to our success because it: Directly impacts [clients / revenue / case outcomes / team efficiency] Supports speed, quality, and consistency as we scale Helps protect and elevate the TopDog Law brand and client experience Strengthens the foundation needed to grow responsibly and sustainably What Success Looks Like Within your first 6–12 months, success in this role looks like: You consistently deliver on commitments with minimal oversight You proactively identify issues and propose solutions Your work raises the bar for quality, clarity, and follow-through You are viewed as a reliable, trusted partner by teammates and leaders You contribute positively to team energy, morale, and momentum

Requirements

At least 5 years of hands-on payroll experience (in the trenches)
Their most recent position must have been in payroll. We want a "career payroll" person.
Rippling payroll experience
Benefits administration experience
An understanding of payroll tax laws
An understanding of what an HDHP is versus a PPO
An understanding of federal & state taxable income vs. social security taxable income vs medicare taxable income (i.e., intricate knowledge of payroll issues that employees will bring to them)
401(k) & HSA withholding limits, taxable vs Roth contributions, etc
Knowledge of 401(k) annual audits and non-discrimination testing
An understanding of form 940 and 941
The process to issue amended W2s (but they shouldn't have a ton of experience in that!)
Trustworthy and honest --- this person sees everything and handles one of the company's most important functions
Strong communication skills—written and verbal
Ability to think critically, prioritize effectively, and execute with speed

Nice To Haves

Experience in a fast-growing or high-volume environment
Comfort with ambiguity and evolving systems
Experience in legal, professional services, or client-centric organizations

Responsibilities

Manage and process biweekly payroll for TDL and TDT
Indirectly oversee the GT payroll (Maddie handles this directly)
Ensure compliance with state-by-state payroll tax laws
Withholdings, unemployment insurance, worker's comp, etc
Answer employee questions regarding payroll issues
Ensure the benefits enrollment process goes smoothly for the employees
Field questions from employees on benefits topics
Ensure benefit deductions are applied correctly to paychecks
Review benefits statements from our vendors to ensure correct billing and approve payment
Reach out to State Revenue Departments as needed to resolve payroll-related tax issues. Rippling will mostly handle this, but this person will need to interact with Rippling to hold them accountable.
Oversee the administration of our 401(k) plan, ensuring compliance with annual testing and auditing
Identifying opportunities to improve systems, processes, or outcomes—not just following existing playbooks