Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Job Title: Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Reports To: Payroll & Benefits Manager
 Category: Full-Time, Exempt
 Department: Finance
 Location: Juneau, Alaska
 Salary Range: $60,000 – $75,000 (commensurate with experience)

Position Summary

The Payroll and Benefits Specialist is responsible for assisting 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 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

• Assist with processing 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

• Remote east coast Primarily with regular travel to the Juneau. 
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Regular travel, including travel by small aircraft

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources preferred
• Three to six (2–6) years of payroll administration experience supporting a workforce of 300+ employees
• Experience supporting multi-entity or seasonal workforces preferred
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now strongly 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

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