Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Part-Time Payroll, Benefits & People Operations Specialist
Houston, TX (Harris County) – Hybrid

Job Type:
Part-time (approximately 10–20 hours biweekly)

Position Summary:
The Part-Time Payroll, Benefits & People Operations Specialist is responsible for processing accurate and timely biweekly payroll in QuickBooks Payroll, along with related payroll, benefits, and employee data tasks. This role will also support 401(k) processing, expense reimbursements, PTO tracking, basic employment verifications, and light coordination with accounting.

This position is ideal for an experienced payroll professional in the Houston area who wants a steady, very part-time role with a predictable biweekly cycle and the opportunity to improve processes in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely biweekly payroll in QuickBooks Payroll, including reviewing timesheets, pay changes, deductions, reimbursements, and final approval steps.

• Maintain up-to-date employee payroll records in QuickBooks, including new hires, terminations, compensation changes, direct deposit details, and tax withholding changes.

• Set up and maintain benefit and 401(k) deductions in QuickBooks Payroll to ensure correct withholding each pay period.

• Process and reconcile 401(k) contributions and coordinate with the plan provider to resolve routine file or contribution issues.

• Review employee expense reimbursements for completeness and policy alignment, obtain necessary approvals, and add approved reimbursements to payroll.

• Maintain simple PTO tracking and accruals in the system, including entering approved time off and ensuring balances are accurate.

• Respond to basic payroll and deduction questions from employees and help them understand their pay statements.

• Assist with answering third-party employment and wage verification requests using standardized forms and approved procedures.

• Export payroll reports and journal entries from QuickBooks and coordinate with the bookkeeper/accountant to reconcile payroll to the general ledger.

• Prepare recurring payroll and labor reports (for example, wages, overtime, taxes, deductions, employer contributions) to support management visibility.

• Audit timesheets and payroll inputs for completeness and accuracy prior to each payroll run and follow up on missing or inconsistent information.

• Maintain organized digital payroll files, including registers, reports, notices, and key employee pay documents, to support audit and year-end readiness.

• Support year-end payroll activities such as W-2 review assistance and basic coordination with external payroll and accounting partners.

• Help maintain and improve payroll procedures, checklists, and simple internal controls to ensure accuracy, continuity, and compliance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on payroll experience, preferably in a small business or multi-entity environment.

• Direct experience using QuickBooks Payroll for biweekly payroll processing.

• Familiarity with 401(k) processing, benefit deductions, and basic payroll reconciliations.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.

• Comfortable working independently, managing deadlines, and communicating proactively about issues or discrepancies.

• Proficient with spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) and able to work with payroll and basic accounting reports.

• Experience with expense reimbursements, PTO tracking, or light HR/people operations support is a plus.

• Based in the greater Houston / Harris County area and able to work in a hybrid (remote and occasional on-site) capacity.

Schedule and Work Style

• Approximately 10–20 hours every two weeks, with workload concentrated around payroll dates and key cutoffs.

• Some flexibility in scheduling, but reliable availability around payroll processing days is required.

• Hybrid role: primarily remote work with occasional in-person meetings or document handling in Houston / Harris County as needed.

How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief note describing:

• Your recent payroll experience (including use of QuickBooks Payroll).

• Approximate employee headcount you’ve supported.

• Any experience with 401(k), benefits, reimbursements, and PTO tracking.