Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist Work Location: On-site @ Pentex Restaurant Group - 210 Broadway N, Suite 200 Fargo, ND, 58102.
Hourly Compensation: $27-$29/hour plus bonus eligibility.
Status: Full-Time Pentex Restaurant Group is now hiring a Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our TEAM.
Pentex Restaurant Group operates over 40 Taco John's locations in eight states (ND, SD, MN, MO, IL, WI, IA, and MT) with nearly 1,200 employees (and growing).
We are the leading franchisee of Taco John’s restaurants, and we own and operate 2 HuHot Mongolian Grill restaurants.
Summary The payroll & benefits specialist is responsible for accurate and timely preparation and processing of payroll, maintaining compensation information, payroll records and reports, and payroll related data.
As part of the HR team, the payroll & benefits specialist provides excellent service while creating efficient payroll processes that are sustainable and compliant.
This position will serve as a resource to staff across the company by assisting in payroll related questions while following applicable policies and practices and federal and state laws.
This role reports to the Human Resources Manager.
Key Responsibilities Responsible for all payroll functions, ensuring pay is on time, accurate, cost effective, and in compliance with government regulations.
Manage tax and withholding records and deductions for all federal and state taxes that affect payroll amounts.
Monitor and update employee information, such as tax withholdings, direct deposit, and other payroll-related changes.
Complete a monthly billing reconciliation of benefits and deductions against premium billings for health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances.
Administer various employee benefits programs, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and employee assistance programs.
Assist with benefit enrollment and orientation for new hires and educate employees on available benefit options.
Ensure that employees follow operational policies and procedures related to the payroll function.
Prepare, reconcile, and submit annual ACA reports.
Resolving tax withholding, garnishments, and wage/hour issues for payroll processing.
Assist with processing new hires, transfers, terminations, changes in job titles, increases, and time off.
Participates in third party, government audits and inquires, working in conjunction with the HR department.
Assist employees requesting copies of W2 forms.
Generate and distribute required payroll reports to ensure proper payroll processing.
Ensures personal/professional information is confidential.
Interact professionally with management and employees on payroll related questions and the resolution of payroll related issues.
Understand proper taxation of employee earnings and deductions.
Identifies errors and proactively provides direction on applying updates and corrections.
Research payroll tax rules and regulations to ensure compliance.
Performs analytical work and prepares reports in support of the business.
Qualifications Associate degree in Business, HR, Payroll, Accounting, or closely related field OR twice the equivalent years related experience.
Proven experience with payroll processing.
Ability to approach daily tasks, projects, and follow-up communication with energy and sense of urgency.
Proficient in using HRIS systems and Excel.
Must be meticulous and perform with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Understanding of payroll functions and best practices.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills required.
Benefits Employer Paid Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance 401(k) with Generous Company Match Employer Paid Short Term Disability Insurance Employer Paid Long Term Disability Insurance Employer Paid Basic & Voluntary Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Vacation, Sick, & Holiday Pay Seeking the ideal candidate that aligns with the Pentex Values.
OUR VALUES: INTEGRITY - Never cheat the guest.
Never cheat the team; HUMILITY - Own your results.
Raise your hand, admit mistakes, ask for help; EXCELLENCE - Do the little things right.
The STANDARD is the standard; CELEBRATE - Every win counts.
Share Success.
Disclaimer: Offers of employment at Pentex Restaurant Group (DBA Taco John's) are contingent upon the candidate having successfully completed a criminal background check.
Pentex Restaurant Group will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with requirements of applicable local, state, and federal law.
Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates.
Physical Requirements/Lifting Requirements: Must be able to sit, stand, bend at the waist, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push/pull, lift, talk, and hear with or without reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
Roles are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Pentex Restaurant Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.