Payroll and Benefits Specialist

American Engineering Testing, Inc. (Aet) - Saint Paul, MN

Full-time

Saint Paul, MN

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist plays a crucial role in the administration of payroll, benefits, and employee leaves at American Engineering Testing Inc. This position operates under the supervision of the VP of Finance and is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate payroll processing for all employees. The specialist will manage payroll data, including timekeeping and payroll systems, and will work closely with the HR team to handle benefits paperwork, which involves auditing and approving monthly invoices from various vendors and executing outbound vendor interfaces. In this role, the specialist will enter and review weekly payroll time data, tax information, and direct deposit details, as well as process new hires and terminations. The position requires reconciling payroll data with the Cost Estimation (CE) and Financial Operations (FO) systems to ensure accurate account numbers and compliance with regulatory requirements such as garnishments and tax levies. The specialist will also audit payroll data entries and employee status changes to maintain accuracy before payroll execution. Collaboration with the Human Resource Department is essential for timely updates to employee Masterfile changes, and the specialist will coordinate with department supervisors to ensure accurate reporting of hours worked. The role also involves implementing payroll best practices to enhance efficiency and consulting with the HR team to improve payroll and HRIS processes. The specialist will ensure proper administration of employee garnishments and will execute and audit outbound interfaces to third-party vendors. Additionally, the specialist will present payroll processes during new hire orientations to emphasize the importance of timely payroll submissions. The Payroll and Benefits Specialist will fulfill all governmental regulatory mandates and work closely with HR and Accounting for quarterly and year-end audits related to payroll, benefits, and 401k. The position also includes handling payroll-related inquiries from employees, verifying new hire information, calculating final benefit amounts for terminated employees, and directing employees to the correct information regarding 401k and other benefits. The specialist will serve as a backup for weekly payroll processing and assist with special projects and initiatives related to payroll and benefits.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the administration of payroll, benefits, and employee leaves.
• Process timely and accurate payroll data for all employees.
• Audit and approve monthly invoices for all benefits vendors.
• Enter and review weekly payroll time data and tax information.
• Reconcile payroll data with Cost Estimation and Financial Operations systems.
• Audit payroll data entry and employee status changes for accuracy.
• Coordinate with HR personnel for timely updates to employee Masterfile changes.
• Work with department supervisors to ensure accurate reporting of hours worked.
• Implement and maintain payroll best practices to improve efficiency.
• Ensure timely administration of employee garnishments and remittance to agencies.
• Execute and audit outbound interfaces to third-party vendors.
• Present payroll processes at new hire orientation.
• Fulfill governmental regulatory mandates and ensure compliance.
• Work with HR and Accounting for quarterly and year-end audits.
• Reconcile weekly payroll and benefit deductions.
• Coordinate with third-party administrators for disability claims management.
• Handle payroll-related inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
• Verify new hire information and ensure accurate entry into payroll systems.
• Calculate final benefit amounts for terminated employees.
• Direct employees to correct information regarding 401k and other benefits.
• Serve as backup for weekly payroll processing.
• Assist with special projects and initiatives related to payroll and benefits.

Requirements

• Associate degree in accounting, human resources, business administration, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in payroll and benefits administration.
• Proficiency in payroll software and HRIS systems, preferably ADP or similar systems.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices and employment laws.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
• Outstanding customer service principles and practices.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, human resources, business administration, or related field.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan.