Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Reports To: Payroll & Benefits Manager

Category: Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Finance

Location: Remote, West Coast only Must travel to Juneau for training and be able to travel to Juneau as needed.

Salary Range: $65,000 – $80,000 (commensurate with experience)

Relocation up to $2000 for the right candidate

Position Summary

The Payroll & Benefits Specialist assists with accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for Huna Totem Corporation and its subsidiary entities, supporting a workforce of 500+ employees across seasonal and year-round operations. This position serves as a liaison between Human Resources, Finance, and ADP, ensuring all personnel actions, time records, and benefit elections are properly documented, approved, and reflected in payroll systems. The role requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and adherence to federal, state, and local payroll regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Process bi-weekly payrolls in ADP Workforce Now for multiple entities
• Review employee timecards and exception reports for accuracy and compliance
• Ensure timely payroll submission and funding
• Validate earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefit elections
• Process off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, and corrections as needed

HR Coordination & Data Management

• Process personnel action forms in ADP, including new hires, terminations, pay changes, and job changes
• Ensure all payroll-related actions are properly approved and documented
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee master data
• Partner with Human Resources to research and resolve payroll discrepancies

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations
• Monitor overtime calculations and Alaska labor law requirements
• Support ACA tracking, garnishments, and workers’ compensation reporting
• Maintain payroll internal controls, procedures, and documentation

Reporting & Reconciliation

• Prepare payroll registers, funding reports, and audit documentation
• Reconcile payroll to the general ledger and benefit invoices
• Support month-end and year-end close processes
• Assist with year-end tax reporting, including W-2 processing
• Provide payroll data for audits, budgeting, and financial analysis

Process Improvement & Employee Support

• Maintain and update payroll procedures and documentation
• Identify opportunities for workflow efficiency and process improvement
• Support payroll system upgrades and integrations
• Respond to employee payroll-related inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with periodic site visits
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Occasional travel, including travel by small aircraft
• Valid Alaska driver’s license required

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources preferred
• 5 years of payroll administration experience supporting a workforce of 300+ employees required.
• Experience supporting multi-entity or seasonal workforce preferred
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred
• Remote experience preferred.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Strong proficiency with payroll and timekeeping systems; ADP experience required
• Advanced Excel skills for reconciliation and reporting
• Knowledge of payroll tax, wage and hour laws, and benefit administration
• Ability to integrate payroll data with HRIS and accounting systems
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational and deadline management skills
• High ethical standards with the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Clear, professional communication skills
• Calm, solutions-oriented approach in a fast-paced environment

This job description is not comprehensive but provides examples of typical responsibilities for a Payroll & Benefits Specialist. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for performing other duties of a similar nature and level as in this description, as well as others necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of Huna Totem Corporation.

Huna Totem Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer with the exception to Native Preference under P.L. 93-638.