Payroll & Employee Benefits Specialist

Under supervision of the Controller, the Payroll & Employee Benefits Specialist will process payroll, prepare payroll journal entries for posting, update employee payroll records, enroll staff in benefit plans, and participate in the month-end and year-end accounting closing procedures. Provides excellent customer service to management, employees, and external businesses. Handles all payroll and benefit matters with confidentiality. Understands and implements WCHC’s mission in all activities. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for organization-wide payroll processing on a bi-weekly basis. Verification of timecards, pulling/saving all payroll reports and preparation of the payroll journal vouchers (JVs) for posting.
• Updates employee payroll records as staff enter requests into payroll system.
• Responsible for benefits enrollment, including enrolling new hires into benefit plans, cancelling staff benefit enrollments upon separation, and coordinating annual benefit open enrollment.
• Reconcile payroll asset and liability accounts monthly.
• Update active employee list on retirement plan administration website at least on a quarterly basis.
• Prepare payroll Journal Vouchers (JVs) as part of month-end closing process.
• Reconcile Paid Time Off (PTO) liability account at least on a quarterly basis.
• Assist with preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) 
• Assist with grant reconciliations as they relate to personnel expenses for grant reporting. 
• Reconcile vendor benefit bills. Communicate with vendors when bill adjustments need to be made. 
• Work closely with Human Resources (HR) department to make sure Personnel Action Notices (PANs) are on file for each employee as personnel changes come up.
• Assist controller with annual budget preparation. Provide budgetary planning for wages, benefits, and tax expenses. Help controller determine from a budgetary perspective when to add new positions to the organization. 
• Build a strong relationship with the HR department. Communicates with HR when employee benefits have started or ended. Assist employees with COBRA enrollment.
• Has positive communication with former employees who request help with payroll, benefits, or retirement plan information. 
• Provide verifications of employment as needed.  
• Participate in ad hoc projects as directed by the controller, including the annual financial audit, annual 401K audit, and HRSA Service Area Competition (SAC) application. 
• Participate in ad hoc projects as directed by the controller including the annual Medicare cost report, HRSA On Site Visit, annual financial audit, annual 401K audit, and HRSA Service Area Competition (SAC) application.  
• Seek opportunities for professional development. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements: 

• Associate’s degree in accounting or finance.  
• Two years of payroll processing and employee benefits experience.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional organization and time management skills.  
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage multiple objectives at one time.  
• Thorough attention to detail. 
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and processes.  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Education and/or Experience and Qualifications: 

• Non-violent crisis intervention training class completed within 6 months of hire.  
• BLS certification obtained within 6 months of hire 

Immunizations Required: 

• TB (test upon hire)  

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk working at a computer. 
• Able to lift 15 pounds occasionally. 
• Able to travel as needed. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive PTO Accrual (up to 193 hours of PTO accrual each year to start).  
• 7 Paid Holidays (You must be scheduled to work the holiday to qualify for holiday pay).  
• Medical/Dental/Vision (100% employer paid).  
• 401K Retirement Plan (6% match).  
• Options for long-term disability.  
• $50,000 Life Insurance Policy (options for additional voluntary life).  
• Additional Voluntary Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity coverage is available.  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  
• Downtown Health and Fitness gym membership discount.  
• Headspace Care employer paid membership.