Payroll/Benefits Assistant

Bracken Construction Company, Inc.; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bracken Construction Company, Inc. is seeking a Payroll/Benefits Assistant to support multi-state payroll and employee benefits. The role involves weekly payroll processing, timekeeping reconciliation, and maintaining accurate payroll records.

The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of related experience, strong Excel skills, and excellent organizational and confidentiality practices to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or the equivalent is required.
• Three to five years of related experience required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with employees at all levels.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Regular, punctual attendance is required.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the processing of payroll for employees in different states on a weekly basis.
• Reconciles time entries and works through variances with the field Payroll Clerks.
• Conducts data transfer of field time entries to an internal payroll application.
• Creates Excel spreadsheets; inserts and modifies pivot tables to summarize data.
• Assists with entering new hires and updating taxes, direct deposits, etc.
• Troubleshoot and send invitations to employees’ emails to log in and see their payroll stubs.
• Run I-9 Verifications, as needed.
• Notify the Mississippi Department of Human Services of new hires.
• Monitor and assist with the Payroll e-mail account.
• Receive, research, and respond to payroll discrepancies and/or inquiries.
• Assist with benefit enrollments/terminations/qualifying events in the third party carriers’ applications.
• Assist with reconciling monthly benefit invoices in Excel spreadsheets.
• Work closely with the HR/Payroll Manager on day-to-day payroll and benefit duties, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks, as assigned.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Multi-state payroll

Data entry

Pivot tables

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

The Payroll/Benefits Assistant provides administrative and operational support for the company’s multi-state payroll and employee benefits functions. This position assists with weekly payroll processing, timekeeping reconciliation, employee payroll record maintenance, and resolution of payroll discrepancies to help ensure accurate and timely employee compensation. The position also supports benefits administration, including enrollments, terminations, qualifying life events, and monthly invoice reconciliation. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong attention to detail, organizational skills, confidentiality, proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate employee and payroll records.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the processing of payroll for employees in different states on a weekly basis.
• Reconciles time entries and works through variances with the field Payroll Clerks.
• Conducts data transfer of field time entries to an internal payroll application.
• Creates Excel spreadsheets; inserts and modifies pivot tables to summarize data.
• Assists with entering new hires and updating taxes, direct deposits, etc.
• Troubleshoot and send invitations to employees’ emails to log in and see their payroll stubs.
• Run I-9 Verifications, as needed.
• Notify the Mississippi Department of Human Services of new hires.
• Monitor and assist with the Payroll e-mail account.
• Receive, research, and respond to payroll discrepancies and/or inquiries.
• Assist with benefit enrollments/terminations/qualifying events in the third party carriers’ applications.
• Assist with reconciling monthly benefit invoices in Excel spreadsheets.
• Work closely with the HR/Payroll Manager on day-to-day payroll and benefit duties, and other miscellaneous administrative tasks, as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or the equivalent is required.
• Three to five years of related experience required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with employees at all levels.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Regular, punctual attendance is required.

Physical Demands

• Climb, stand, walk, and perform physical tasks throughout the workday.
• Full utilization of hands for purposes of data entry and other tasks.