Payroll Coordinator

Tangent; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Tangent is seeking a Payroll Coordinator to support accurate and timely payroll processing and benefits administration. You will maintain payroll records, assist with benefits, and respond to employee inquiries while ensuring compliance with wage and hour regulations.

You will report to the Payroll and Benefits Manager and contribute to open enrollment, year-end processes, and process improvements in a fast-paced office environment in Aurora, IL.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and accuracy with numbers and sensitive data.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices, wage/hour regulations, and benefits administration.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage deadlines across multiple pay cycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end payroll processing, including collecting and verifying timekeeping data, hours, and pay changes.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee records (new hires, terminations, pay changes, garnishments, tax updates).
• Assist with benefits administration (enrollments and changes) and reconcile deductions.
• Serve as first point of contact for payroll and benefits questions, escalating complex issues as needed.
• Ensure payroll practices comply with wage and hour requirements and flag discrepancies.
• Prepare and distribute payroll and benefits reports to support audits and month-end/year-end closes.
• Support annual processes like open enrollment and W-2 preparation.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes for efficiency.

Skills

Payroll accuracy

HRIS experience

Microsoft Excel

Data confidentiality

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or HR

Tools

Workday

ADP

Job description

The Payroll Coordinator supports accurate, timely payroll processing and benefits administration for Tangent. This role helps ensure employees are paid correctly and on time, maintains payroll records and compliance documentation, and provides day-to-day support to employees on payroll and benefits questions. The Payroll Coordinator reports to the Payroll and Benefits Manager.

Requirements

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end payroll processing, including collecting and verifying timekeeping data, hours, and pay changes so employees are paid accurately and on time each pay cycle.
• Maintain accurate payroll and employee records, including new hires, terminations, pay changes, garnishments, and tax withholding updates.
• Assist with benefits administration, including enrollments and changes, and help reconcile deductions between payroll and benefit carrier invoices.
• Serve as a first point of contact for employee payroll and benefits questions, resolving routine issues promptly and escalating complex matters to the Payroll and Benefits Manager.
• Help ensure payroll practices comply with federal, state, and local wage and hour requirements, flagging discrepancies for review.
• Prepare and distribute payroll and benefits reports as directed, supporting audits and month-end/year-end close processes.
• Support annual processes such as open enrollment, W-2 preparation, and benefits renewals.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and benefits processes for greater accuracy and efficiency.

Required skills/abilities

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when working with numbers and sensitive data.
• Working knowledge of payroll practices, wage and hour regulations, and benefits administration.
• Experience with payroll and HRIS systems preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage deadlines across multiple pay cycles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and payroll information.

Education and experience

• High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.
• 1–2+ years of payroll, benefits, or accounting-related experience preferred.

physical requirements

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven office environment.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer