Payroll and Benefits Administrator

Be part of an organization that values your contributions When you join Synergy, you’re joining a group of people who care about each other, take pride in their work, and believe that success is best when it’s shared. Position: Payroll & Human Resources Administrator Location: Buffalo, NY Remote Status: Hybrid Job Id: 172 # of Openings: 1 At Synergy IT Solutions, we believe employee ownership drives accountability, transparency, and shared success. As a 100% employee‑owned company (ESOP), every role contributes directly to our collective performance. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is a critical member of our HR team, responsible for ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of payroll and benefits. This role owns the end‑to‑end payroll process and serves as the primary administrator for benefit and wealth building programs, including our ESOP and 401(k). This is a high‑impact role ideal for someone who thrives in a detail‑driven, process‑oriented environment and takes pride in data accuracy. What You’ll Own... Payroll Operations (Primary Focus) Process accurate and timely bi‑weekly payroll in Paycor Audit employee time and attendance; resolve discrepancies with managers Manage payroll deductions including garnishments, benefits, and taxes Ensure compliance with all federal and New York State wage and hour laws Prepare payroll‑related reports (bi‑weekly, quarterly, year‑end) Support payroll audits and maintain documentation for compliance Benefits & Retirement Administration Administer all employee benefit programs: Medical, dental, vision Life, disability, and leave programs 401(k) and ESOP Coordinate open enrollment, qualifying events, and employee changes Manage relationships with benefit providers and resolve discrepancies Support annual reporting and compliance (e.g., census reporting, 5500 prep, non‑discrimination testing) HRIS & Data Integrity (Paycor) Ensure proper setup and updates for payroll and benefits changes Generate ad hoc reports for leadership, Finance, and audits Identify opportunities to improve system efficiency and data accuracy Employee Support & Communication Serve as a trusted resource for employee pay and benefits questions Educate employees and managers on payroll processes and updates Ensure timely, clear, and professional communication What Success Looks Like Payroll processed 100% accurately and on time, every cycle Benefits are administered seamlessly with minimal employee issues Data in Paycor is complete, accurate, and audit‑ready Employees trust HR for clear, timely answers Compliance risks are proactively mitigated What You Bring! Experience High school diploma required 3-5 years of payroll processing and human resources experience Experience administering employee benefits and/or retirement plans Experience with payroll/HRIS systems (Paycor experience a plus) Expertise in financial data processing and management Strong attention to detail. Strong mathematical abilities. Maintain high level of confidentiality. Proficient in Excel and other technical resources like Microsoft 365 Aptitude for solving issues. Skills Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy Strong understanding of payroll processes and compliance requirements Proficiency in Excel and data reporting Strong organizational and time management skills Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality Clear, professional communication skills Why Join Synergy? Employee Ownership (ESOP): Share in the success you help create Growth Opportunity: Be part of a progressive HR function with evolving systems and processes Impact: Your work directly supports every employee, every paycheck, every benefit #J-18808-Ljbffr