Payroll and Benefits Specialist

At Citizens Bank we help people, businesses, and communities achieve financial success to build a better future. We hope you will consider joining our team. We are seeking a full time Payroll and Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team.

The purpose of this position is to ensure the accurate and effective administration of employee payroll and benefits. This position is responsible for preparing, disbursing, maintaining, and reviewing payroll, salary adjustments, payroll taxes, and year-end process as well as acting as administrator on all employee benefit plans.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:15am-5pm

38-40 hours/week

Some flexibility may be allowed as long as the employee is able to effectively meet the responsibilities of the job.

• Hours may change at any time based upon business needs

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Administer all payroll processing, payroll tax filing and benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, long term disability, flexible spending, paid leave, 401k and ESOP.
• Ensure that all hourly and salary changes, payroll deductions, taxes, and garnishments are accurate and timely.
• Prepare and maintain time and attendance records for payroll input, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local payroll, wage and hour laws and best practices.
• Ensure that all deduction codes, and leave codes are updated as needed and are functioning appropriately in ADP.
• Participate in annual benefit renewal meetings with brokers and coordinates presentations to staff.
• Accurately reconcile the monthly benefit invoices from the benefit carriers.
• Maintain benefit records and documents necessary for implementing benefit coverage.
• Maintain and distribute plan documents and employee communications relating to benefits.
• Oversee use of time off, including FMLA and other leaves of absence.
• Assure compliance with all legal requirements of various payroll and employee benefit programs (ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, IRS Code Section 125, FLSA, etc.), and preparation and filing of required legal reports.
• Ensure all quarter and year-end tax deadlines and procedures are followed timely and accurately.
• Administer the company’s 401(k) and ESOP plans, serving as the primary point of contact for the employees.
• Complete the annual non-discrimination testing for 401(k) and Section 125 plans, providing information to auditors as required; producing, reconciling and uploading payroll contributions to 401(k) provider according to applicable laws; maintaining records of 401(k) advisory committee meetings.
• Verify and update the accumulation and use of vacation, holidays, sick days and miscellaneous other leave categories in the payroll system.
• Responsible for running payroll reports, maintaining payroll general ledger accounts, and reconciling bank statements.
• Ensure proper calculation of final pay and benefits deductions for terminated employees.
• Manage and oversee all Workers Compensation claims and COBRA continuation.
• Review and facilitates processing of annual W2 and 1094/1095 forms with ADP.
• Must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act and the requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Additionally, all employees must follow policies and procedures to minimize risk by exercising good judgment, raising questions to management, and adhering to policy guidelines.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred
• Three to five years of related experience required.
• Accounting and GL experience preferred
• Benefit administration background preferred
• Extensive knowledge of the payroll function including preparation, balancing, internal control, and payroll taxes
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proficient with payroll software, ADP strongly desired

Critical competencies:

• Accuracy
• Confidentiality
• Collaboration

****Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities****

Our company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Applicants can learn more about their rights by viewing the federal EEO poster at https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf