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)
- Maintain accurate employee data across HR systems
- 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
- Associates degree preferred
- 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
- Effective communicator
- Effective time management skills.
- 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
- Collaborative Culture: Team-focused, supportive environment
- 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