Payroll Specialist

Specialized Dental Partners•Franklin, TN

8h•$60,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for accurate and timely payroll processing and year-end reporting. This role requires at least five years of experience in payroll administration, strong knowledge of payroll systems, and a thorough understanding of federal, state, and local payroll regulations. Serving as the primary point of contact for payroll, the specialist ensures compliance, accuracy, and high-quality service to employees and management. Comprehensive benefits knowledge is necessary to manage payroll deductions, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits—ensuring correct withholding, remittance, and reporting in line with company policies and regulatory requirements. About Specialized Dental Partners Specialized Dental Partners is one of the nation’s leading dental support organizations for Endodontic, Periodontic, and Oral Surgery practices. With more than 250 practice locations and over 430 doctors across the United States, Specialized Dental Partners empowers specialists to focus on exceptional patient care while the organization delivers tailored business, operational, and strategic support.

Requirements

5+ years of payroll administration experience, preferably in a multi-state environment.
3+ years of experience working with HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG), including maintaining employee records and processing payroll changes.
3+ years of experience reconciling benefit deductions, vendor invoices, and resolving payroll‑benefit discrepancies.
3+ years of experience preparing or validating quarterly and year‑end payroll tax filings (Forms 941, 940, W‑2/W‑2c, SUTA).
2+ years of experience supporting audits (payroll, benefits, or financial) through preparation of payroll summaries, reconciliations, and documentation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
Strong organizational and time management abilities to meet strict deadlines.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and payroll reporting tools.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)

Responsibilities

Administer bi-weekly/monthly, end-to-end payroll processing for all employees.
Maintain accurate payroll data in the Payroll/HRIS system, including new hires, terminations, pay changes, and benefit deductions.
Verify timekeeping records and reconcile pay registers before payroll submission.
Maintain payroll calendars, ensuring all deadlines and cutoff dates are met.
Collaborate with HR and benefits administrators to resolve benefit-related payroll issues and assist employees with payroll questions related to benefits.
Monitor regulatory changes affecting payroll and benefits to ensure ongoing compliance.
Reconcile benefit deductions with vendor invoices.
Assist with carrier billing audits and resolve discrepancies with vendors and internal stakeholders.
Support correction of payroll and benefit deduction errors. Provide administrative support for employee benefit programs and related processes.
Assist with audits of benefits data for accuracy and completeness.
Support the Senior Manager of Benefits by responding to basic employee benefit questions and directing more complex inquiries appropriately.
Assist with open enrollment and other annual benefits-related activities.
Provide backup support to ensure continuity of benefits operations.
Assist with funding and reconciliation for HSA, FSA, and other benefit-related payroll feeds.
Review and validate quarterly payroll tax filings (Forms 941, 940, SUTA, etc.) for accuracy.
Prepare payroll summary and year-to-date reports for audits and management review.
Prepare, verify, and distribute W-2 forms; reconcile W-2 data to quarterly 941 reports and the general ledger.
Prepare W-2c/W-3c corrections as needed and communicate with affected employees.
Maintain documentation and evidence (e.g., payroll registers, reconciliation worksheets, submission confirmations) for year-end tasks.
Ensure compliance with all employment laws related to payroll, wage and hour regulations, and payroll tax requirements.
Set up new tax set-ups for state and local jurisdictions (build process for new partnerships)