Payroll & Benefits Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Arizona, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Oversee the complete payroll process, which includes regular, off-cycle, bonus, and any additional payrolls as necessary.

• Review and confirm payroll inputs such as new hires, terminations, compensation modifications, deductions, benefits, PTO, reimbursements, garnishments, and any other payroll adjustments.

• Conduct comprehensive reviews to ensure payroll accuracy, completeness, and timely processing.

• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in payroll and address employee inquiries regarding payroll.

• Collaborate with Finance & Accounting on payroll reporting, reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end closing activities.

• Engage in evaluations of acquisition prospects to identify payroll compliance issues.

• Keep track of state and local filing requirements, deadlines, tax rates, and any regulatory changes.

• Complete state tax registrations for new state expansions and oversee payroll tax filings.

• Liaise with third-party tax filers regarding payroll tax notices, agency correspondence, and compliance matters.

• Manage employee benefits programs and act as the primary contact for employee inquiries regarding benefits.

• Collaborate with brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, and external providers.

• Assist with annual open enrollment, including system configuration, employee communications, and reconciliations.

• Process benefit enrollments, modifications, and terminations in Rippling and with benefit providers.

• Reconcile benefit deductions, employer contributions, and invoices from carriers.

• Maintain precise benefits records and provide timely updates on employee status.

• Develop and implement enhancements and automation for payroll, tax compliance, benefits, reconciliations, and reporting.

• Optimize Rippling and other systems to streamline workflows, controls, reporting, and the employee experience.

⛳️ Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in payroll, payroll tax, benefits administration, accounting, or a related field.

• Demonstrated capability to independently manage payroll for a multi-state workforce.

• In-depth knowledge of state and local payroll tax compliance, including filings, payments, registrations, reconciliations, and tax notices.

• Familiarity with employee benefits administration, encompassing enrollments, qualifying life events, deductions, and provider coordination.

• Ability to manage or assist with the annual open enrollment process.

• Proficient in using a payroll or HRIS platform; experience with Rippling is highly preferred.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with outstanding attention to detail.

• Capability to independently handle multiple priorities, recurring deadlines, and confidential information.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Finance & Accounting, employees, and external payroll and benefits providers.

• Experience with Rippling Payroll and Benefits.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, PivotTables, data analysis, reconciliations, and reporting.

• Knowledge of various state and local payroll tax jurisdictions.

• Experience in managing payroll tax notices, audits, registrations, and agency correspondence.

• Background in accounting, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and support for month-end closing.

• Experience with payroll and benefits reporting and reconciliation.

• Familiarity with workflow automation, reporting tools, or initiatives aimed at process optimization.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and various other employee benefits.

• Support during annual open enrollment.

• Administration of employee benefits eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, and deductions.