Description We are seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our team located in Newburyport, Massachusetts. In this role, you will oversee payroll processing and benefits administration for all employees, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and laws. Additionally, you will serve as the point of contact for vendors and manage various accounting functions. Responsibilities: • Process bi-weekly payroll for all employees, including salary and hourly staff, while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations and tax laws. • Review, verify, and adjust timesheets, wages, and status changes as needed. • Liaise with the finance team to ensure accurate payroll/HR entries are made to the General Ledger (GL). • Handle the processing of retirement files and other payroll uploads to vendors. • Resolve payroll discrepancies and respond promptly and effectively to employee payroll inquiries. • Implement and maintain Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) files with vendors, ensuring errors are corrected in a timely manner. • Administer employee benefit programs such as health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. • Serve as the primary contact for benefit vendors and brokers, addressing escalated issues and ensuring proper coverage. • Assist employees with benefit-related questions, claims, and concerns and manage the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) process from initial meeting with employee through coordination of benefits. • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations. • Prepare and submit necessary payroll and benefits reports for management and government agencies. • Assist HR with the onboarding of new employees, ensuring accurate payroll setup and benefit enrollment. • Maintain accurate and confidential payroll and benefits records in HRIS systems. • Support employee offboarding by processing final paychecks, handling benefits termination, and managing COBRA notifications. • Evaluate and improve payroll processes for efficiency and accuracy. Requirements • Proficiency in Accounting Software Systems • Familiarity with Accounting Functions • Experience in Auditing • Knowledge of Benefit Functions • Proficiency in Paylocity and Concur • Experience in Benefits Administration and Benefits Payroll • Familiarity with International Payroll • Experience with HR Payroll System • Proficiency in Data Entry • Understanding of laws and regulations related to payroll and benefits • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills • Ability to handle confidential information with discretion • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions based on accurate and timely analyses • High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation. Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information. © 2024 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) .