Payroll and Benefits Specialist

Description

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist plays a key role in payroll processing and benefits administration, serving as the primary liaison with the external payroll provider to ensure accurate, timely payroll, maintain employee records, and resolve payroll-related matters. This role also serves as a key resource in ensuring payroll and benefits accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness across the organization. Responsible for administering employee benefits and leave programs, as well as managing employee transitions and offboarding. It also includes preparing HR reports and documentation, while maintaining confidentiality and supporting a positive, compliant workplace culture.

Johnson Block and Company, Inc.’s mission is simple, quality service through our commitment to staff and clients. We believe our strength is the personal contact with individuals at all levels within our firm, but especially the accessibility of our partners in meeting our client’s needs. Our philosophy emphasizes direct personal service from our experienced professionals. These professionals are committed to our organization’s core values of; dedication, integrity, growth, respect, adaptability and community. These values are at the heart of everything we do for our client’s, ourselves and our communities. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Lead and manage payroll processing and benefits administration. 
• Serve as the primary liaison with the external payroll provider to ensure accurate and timely payroll, resolve discrepancies, and maintain employee records. 
• Administer employee benefits and leave programs, and respond to employee inquiries regarding benefits, policies, and HR processes. 
• Oversee payroll data submitted to the third-party provider and review payroll and payroll tax reports for accuracy. 
• Prepare month-end reports related to billing, receivables, and payables, and assist with month-end and year-end close processes. 
• Partner with leadership and the administrative team to support onboarding and offboarding processes, including new hire orientation, documentation, system access, and exit procedures. 
• Assist in coordinating and tracking employee training and development initiatives. 
• Support HR compliance by ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws, and maintaining policies and required documentation. 
• Maintain accurate HRIS data and prepare HR reports and documentation for leadership and audits. 
• Collaborate with the HR Coordinator and administrative team on additional HR and administrative tasks as needed, without serving as the primary HR lead.

Additional Payroll & Benefits Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll, tax, and benefits regulations, and stay current on legislative changes impacting payroll and benefits administration. 
• Lead year-end payroll activities, including preparation, reconciliation, and distribution of W-2s, and support 1094-C/1095-C reporting as applicable. 
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits related to payroll, benefits, and HR processes, including gathering documentation and responding to audit requests. 
• Perform regular payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure accuracy of wages, deductions, and tax filings. 
• Manage payroll tax filings and ensure timely payment of all payroll-related taxes in coordination with the external provider. 
• Oversee benefits billing and reconciliation, ensuring accuracy between payroll deductions and vendor invoices. 
• Assist with open enrollment processes, including system setup, employee communication, and enrollment audits. 
• Maintain accurate records for ACA tracking and reporting, ensuring compliance with Affordable Care Act requirements. 
• Monitor and ensure proper handling of garnishments, deductions, and other payroll adjustments in compliance with legal requirements. 
• Develop and document payroll and benefits procedures to improve efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 2–3 years of experience in a payroll and benefits role supporting role
• Experience processing and managing payroll for all employees 
• Coordinated and administered employee benefits, ensuring compliance and accuracy, with hands-on experience in benefits programs.
• Working knowledge of HR functions, including employee relations, onboarding and offboarding, benefits administration, and HR compliance
• Experience coordinating with an external payroll provider is a plus, but not required
• Understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and maintain confidentiality
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with employees, managers, and administrative teams
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, or administrative systems, or the ability to quickly learn new tools and processes. 
• Experience with UKG is a plus.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 
• Reliable form of transportation 
• Criminal background check