Payroll and Benefits Associate (Pinellas Park)

Payroll and Benefits Associate

Location: St Petersburg, FL - 2 days in office per week

The Role

IMS is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Payroll and Benefits Associate to strengthen our client services and enhance payroll, benefits, and HR compliance consulting for our international clients operating in the United States.

This is not a routine payroll role. We are looking for someone who enjoys problem-solving, working with people and being part of a team. You will work closely with the wider team to help ensure payroll and benefits are processed accurately and on time, support colleagues with queries and issues, and get involved in resolving problems when they arise.

Our clients are often new to the U.S. employment landscape, so there will also be opportunities to support them with their payroll and benefits requirements and help them understand how things work. The level of direct client responsibility will depend on your experience and will develop as your knowledge and confidence grow.

IMS will support your development and integration into our ways of working. We value someone who is adaptable, curious, and eager to learn, and who is willing to get involved proactively when something needs to be done. You should be comfortable asking questions, working things out, supporting your colleagues and taking responsibility for your work, while remaining responsive and organized in a busy environment.

For the right candidate, this role offers meaningful growth opportunities and the chance to take on more responsibility and develop a long-term career with IMS.

The Company

International Management Solutions Inc. is an accounting and consulting firm committed to supporting European companies as they navigate the complexities of doing business in the USA. Our role is to serve as a trusted partner, guiding our clients through the unique challenges they may face when setting up operations in a new market.

Why work for IMS?

Impactful Work – Play a central role in helping international businesses establish and grow successfully in the U.S. market.

Career Growth & Development – Begin by taking ownership of assigned client payrolls and benefits processes while learning IMS’s consulting approach. As your experience grows, you will have the opportunity to assume greater responsibility, contribute to key initiatives, and gain exposure to broader consulting and strategic projects.

Flexibility – Enjoy hybrid working, with the opportunity to work abroad for a few weeks per year, supporting work-life balance while collaborating with global teams.

Collaborative Culture – Join a friendly, multinational, and supportive team that values initiative, collaboration and teamwork across all levels of the company.

Comprehensive Benefits – generous healthcare coverage, 401(k), 20 days PTO

Primary Responsibilities

This is a challenging and busy role suited to an ambitious, organized and capable professional who enjoys solving problems and working with people.

Your key focus will be to support the delivery and development of our payroll and benefits function, working closely with our internal team to build knowledge, improve processes and ensure client payrolls are delivered accurately and on time. You will work through payroll queries and tax notices, help resolve issues and, as your knowledge and experience develop, take on greater responsibility for reviewing payrolls and advising on more complex client matters. Some of the initial duties you can expect are;

• Work closely with the internal team to build knowledge and understanding across payroll and benefits.
• Support Associates with payroll processing and help ensure work is completed accurately, on time and in line with client requirements.
• Be a helpful and reliable point of contact for payroll queries, supporting colleagues and managers when issues arise.
• Investigate and resolve payroll issues, including tax notices and other payroll-related matters.
• Review payrolls for accuracy and completeness, with the level of responsibility increasing as your knowledge and experience develop.
• Maintain clear and organised processes across the payroll and benefits function.
• Support the processing and management of multiple client payroll accounts and payment schedules.
• Support 401(k) processing and administration.
• Support healthcare consultation and administration.
• Work with payroll, benefits and other suppliers as required to resolve issues and support client requirements.
• Assist with client queries and provide guidance on U.S. payroll and benefits requirements, with the level of client responsibility reflecting your experience.

For more experienced candidates;

• Take greater ownership of client payroll and benefits matters and provide direct support and guidance to clients.
• Support Business Development calls, where appropriate, by helping explain how IMS manages clients' U.S. payroll, benefits and compliance requirements and the options available.
• Consult with clients regarding their people compliance needs regarding setting up their payroll and benefits requirements in the US.
• Assist with adding structure and organisation to this function

Ideal Requirements

We are open to candidates with a range of experience, from a strong Associate ready to develop their skills further through to an experienced Payroll and Benefits Specialist. Ideally, you will have:

• Experience with U.S. multi-state payroll, including setup and/or processing.
• Experience processing client payrolls.
• Knowledge and experience of U.S. benefits setup and administration.
• Understanding of U.S. payroll tax compliance.
• CPA or accounting firm experience is beneficial.
• Experience with ADP, Paychex or similar payroll systems is beneficial.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with different stakeholders.
• A patient and practical approach when communicating with clients who are new to U.S. requirements.
• Naturally curious, willing to ask questions and able to investigate issues and work through problems independently.
• Professional, reliable and team-oriented, with good judgement and a willingness to support colleagues and clients when needed.
• Eager to learn, develop and take on increasing responsibility, while keeping technical knowledge of U.S. payroll and benefits requirements up to date.
• Interested in building a long-term career with IMS and developing with the business.

To apply

Please send your resume in PDF to

Phone screenings will commence immediately and will generally take place between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday. We may contact shortlisted candidates at short notice for an initial screening, so please ensure you are available to respond if contacted.

Weekend screening calls may also be available. If you are available for a weekend call, please indicate this in your application.