Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Ashley House Northwest – Federal Way, WA (On-Site)

Ashley House NW provides 24/7 care to medically fragile children, teens, and young adults across Washington State — including five South Sound pediatric homes, a young adult home, a pediatric SNF in Shoreline, and pediatric group homes in Woodinville and Spokane.

We’re seeking a Payroll & Benefits Specialist who thrives in complexity, works with precision, and brings calm professionalism to a high-accountability environment. This role is on-site at our Federal Way Administrative Office and reports directly to the Controller.

What You’ll Do

Payroll Administration

  • Process bi-weekly payroll for multi-site operations

  • Audit timecards (differentials, overtime, holidays, union considerations)

  • Ensure supervisor approvals are complete and accurate

  • Maintain wage garnishments, child support orders, and benefit deductions

  • Transfer timekeeping data (NOVAtime preferred) into payroll module

  • Post payroll to MIP/Abila accounting system

  • Process ACH/direct deposit and manual checks as needed

  • Prepare payroll accruals and journal entries

  • Balance payroll general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies

  • Prepare payroll-related payables (union, Colonial, etc.)

  • Respond to employee payroll inquiries professionally and clearly

  • Generate reports (union dues, tax reporting, benefit hours, wage accruals)

  • Prepare tax deposits and related journal entries

  • Support wage analysis reporting for leadership as needed

Benefits Administration

  • Manage reporting and reconciliation for Vanguard 403(b)

  • Prepare and submit retirement plan reports

  • Prepare Sound Health & Wellness reports and verify employee deductions

  • Coordinate with third-party administrators on benefit changes

  • Reconcile benefit balances and ensure accurate withholdings

Tax & Compliance Support

  • Assist with quarterly returns (L&I, ESD, PFML)

  • Assist Controller with 941 reconciliation

  • Ensure adherence to wage and hour laws, union contract, and internal policy

  • Monitor payroll and HR SOP compliance

  • Support internal and external audits

Administrative & Reporting Support

  • Maintain payroll files and documentation (organized, audit-ready)

  • Complete monthly BLS census reporting

  • Develop ad hoc reports as requested

  • Support Senior Accountant as needed

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • AA/AS in Accounting required; BA/BS preferred (Relevant experience may substitute for education)

  • Minimum 5 years accounting experience

  • Minimum 3 years direct payroll processing experience

  • Experience with union payroll preferred

  • Experience with NOVAtime and/or MIP-Abila strongly preferred

  • Advanced Excel proficiency

  • Strong understanding of payroll tax processes and internal controls

  • Exceptional organization, communication, confidentiality, and follow-through

Additional Requirements (Healthcare Regulatory Standards)

  • Ability to pass Washington State background checks and FBI fingerprinting

  • Annual driver’s abstract (required for all agency staff)

  • Compliance with agency health screening requirements, including current Flu, Tdap, COVID-19 vaccination and TB testing per licensing standards

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

This full time position compensation ranges from $32.26 – 43.83 per hour dependent upon prior professional experience. It comes with a full compensation package including Med., Dent., Vis., Life, Dis., HRA., Matching 403b7, Paid Time Off, and Paid Holidays.

Ashley House recognizes being a part of the medical community, we have responsibilities to advocate and provide the best care by overcoming existing historic, institutional, and systematic barriers. We are committed to advancing equity and fostering a diverse and inclusive community, organization, and culture.

Qualified and interested? Apply now if you want to be considered for joining our mission and values driven team. More than a job - We change lives!

Alex Ekstrom