Associate HR Partner - Payroll

Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company (ACIC) is a recognized Excess and Surplus Lines carrier and proud affiliate of the Auto-Owners Insurance Group since 2016. With authority in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., ACIC provides innovative insurance solutions while maintaining a strong financial foundation, reflected in our A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior).

Our strength comes from our people. For six consecutive years, we've been certified a Great Place to Work and consistently ranked among Fortune's "100 Best Small and Medium Workplaces". At ACIC, we foster a culture where everyone belongs. We're a team-supporting one another through leadership development, mentorship programs, career certifications, and comprehensive benefits.

Our benefits include:

• Health, Dental & Vision plans (HSA & PPO options)
• 401(k) with company match + financial advisor access
• Tuition reimbursement & student loan assistance
• Paid parental leave
• Counseling and mental wellness support
• Flexible work and in-office schedules

Whether you're just starting your career or looking to grow it, Atlantic Casualty is where talent thrives, and teamwork drives success.

Please visit our Careers Page for more information on the benefits and programs you will enjoy by joining the team at Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company.

Summary

The Associate HR Partner - Payroll is responsible for managing end-to-end payroll operations while supporting broader human resources functions. This role ensures accurate and compliant payroll processing, supports HR reporting and benefits administration, and partners with internal stakeholders to deliver efficient HR and payroll services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Administration & Compliance
• Manage all aspects of the payroll function for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Process and reconcile bi-weekly payroll, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Review and validate timekeeping data, following up with managers on discrepancies.
• Process employee changes including new hires, promotions, compensation updates, and terminations.
• Administer wage garnishments, deductions, and benefits-related payroll adjustments.
• Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate payroll reports.
• Prepare and maintain payroll balancing reports, including reconciliation to wage and tax registers.
• Process manual checks and supplemental payrolls (bonuses, merit increases, etc.).
• Manage quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing in coordination with ADP.
• Research and establish payroll tax accounts in new states, including state unemployment insurance (SUI), income tax withholding, and applicable local tax jurisdictions.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of payroll and employee information.


HRIS, Reporting & Analytics
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and generate regular and ad hoc reports.
• Prepare monthly metrics including turnover, compensation, and 401(k) reporting.
• Support reporting needs for audits, compliance (e.g., 5500 filings), and management requests.


Benefits & HR Support
• Support benefits administration, including 401(k) contributions and audit reporting.
• Assist with open enrollment setup and validate census data for carriers.
• Coordinate COBRA, flexible spending accounts, and related processes.
• Process unemployment claims and assist with workers' compensation audits.


Accounting & Reconciliation
• Post payroll, benefits, and related entries to the accounting system.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reconciliations (e.g., healthcare, PTO liability, disability, life insurance).
• Ensure accuracy of financial data related to payroll and benefits.


Required Education and Experience
• Associate's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 2 years of payroll, HR, or benefits administration experience.


Required Skills and Competencies
• Experience with payroll systems required; ADP strongly preferred.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.