Payroll Benefits Specialist

Dennis Group - Springfield, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Springfield, MA

Food Services and Drinking Places

About the position

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is a crucial role within our organization, responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll and the administration of employee benefit programs. This position requires a strong understanding of payroll regulations, benefits plans, and HR/payroll systems. The Specialist will be the first point of contact for employees regarding payroll and benefits inquiries, ensuring that they receive excellent customer service and timely responses to their questions. In this role, you will process payroll to ensure timely and accurate transactions, which include salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions. You will prepare and maintain accurate records and reports of payroll transactions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices. Additionally, you will open and close state tax accounts as necessary and facilitate audits by providing records and documentation to auditors. You will also manage employee benefit programs, which include health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plans. Conducting new hire benefit orientations and assisting with enrolling employees in benefit plans will be part of your responsibilities. You will process benefit changes, including enrollments, terminations, and status changes, and work directly with our benefits broker to evaluate and compare existing benefits with those of other employers. Furthermore, you will manage the annual 401(k) audit, year-end census for testing, and employer true-up contributions. Reconciliation of benefit invoices and processing for payment will also fall under your purview. Maintaining knowledge of mandated benefits and best practices is essential, as is managing open enrollment and ensuring the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information. You will perform quality checks of benefits-related data and assist employees with benefits questions. Lastly, overseeing the administration of all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork, while effectively interpreting FMLA and ADA implications, will be key aspects of your role.

Responsibilities

• Processes payroll to ensure timely and accurate transactions including salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws and best practices.
• Opens and closes state tax accounts as necessary.
• Facilitates audits by providing records and documentation to auditors.
• Manages employee benefit programs, including health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plans.
• Conducts new hire benefit orientations and assists with enrolling employees in benefit plans.
• Processes benefit changes, including enrollments, terminations, and status changes.
• Works directly with our benefits broker in evaluating and comparing existing benefits with those of other employers.
• Manages the annual 401(k) audit, year-end census for testing and employer true-up contribution.
• Reconciles benefit invoices and processes for payment.
• Maintains knowledge of mandated benefits and best practices.
• Manages open enrollment and ensures the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS.
• Performs quality checks of benefits-related data.
• Assists employees regarding benefits questions.
• Oversees administration of all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of employee benefits, payroll, and compensation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Thorough knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, and ERISA requirements.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS's, and data reporting.
• CheckWriter's experience a plus.
• HRIS implementation experience preferred.
• Ontario Canada payroll and benefits experience a plus.
• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of five years of experience administering payroll and benefit programs required.

Nice-to-haves

• CheckWriter's experience
• HRIS implementation experience
• Ontario Canada payroll and benefits experience

Benefits

• Competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• Paid time off including an open vacation policy.
• Bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.