Payroll and Benefits Manager

About the Practice

Lightwave was founded in 2016, is a high-growth company building the group model for the future of the dental industry. Lightwave is passionate about doing things the right way with a tight focus on high quality, core values, and taking care of their people. Lightwave is a dental leadership organization that focuses on partnering, training and developing dentists as the natural leaders of the dental practice. Lightwave helps dentists launch their careers, supports dentists leading high-growth dental groups, and assists doctors looking to establish their legacy as they transition into retirement. Lightwave is solving the big problems in dentistry: retirement, management, reimbursements, and partnership by providing the benefits of a group while preserving the essence of private practice. Lightwave currently supports over 80 dental offices in 4 states. For additional information, please visit lightwavedental.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Responsibilities

1. Payroll Administration:
   • Process payroll using Dayforce for both salaried, hourly and commission employees and doctors, ensuring accurate and timely payment of wages, bonuses, and benefits.
   • Reconciliation: Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliation of payroll accounts to ensure accuracy in financial reporting.
   • Reconcile payroll-related accounts (e.g., accrued payroll, payroll taxes, employee benefits) and resolve discrepancies with accounting and finance teams.
   • Compliance Management: Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws.
   • Reporting & Audits: Prepare, review, and submit accurate and timely payroll-related reports for internal stakeholders. Participate in audits and ensure proper documentation for regulatory reviews is provided timely.
   • Collaboration: Work closely with HR and Finance teams to address employee pay issues, resolve discrepancies, and ensure proper reporting for cost accounting.
   • Data Integrity: Ensure accuracy and confidentiality of payroll data, including employee information, pay rates, deductions, and benefits.
   • Employee Support: Provide exceptional customer service to employees regarding payroll inquiries, tax withholding, benefits, and deductions.
   • State Compliance: Maintain state compliance notices and have in-depth knowledge of multi-state tax compliance and reporting.
2. Benefits Administration:
   • Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.
   • Coordinate transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums and plan administration.
   • Evaluate and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
   • Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
   • Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of required reporting and fees.
   • Coordinate daily benefits processing. Handle enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
   • Oversee maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database and update employee payroll records.
   • Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings and the preparation of vouchers for payment of administrative fees for all group plans.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of 5+ years of experience in payroll and benefits administration.
2. Bachelor's degree in human resources, finance, business administration, or a related field.
3. Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with a high level of discretion.
4. Experience with payroll software such as Dayforce, ADP, UKG, or similar systems.
5. Advanced Excel knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office—manipulating data, building reports, and leveraging tools to get the job done efficiently.
6. Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
7. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
8. Experience in benefits administration and vendor management.
9. Detail-oriented, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
10. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
11. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
12. Experience with Doctor agreements and commission calculations—familiarity with these complex processes will help you succeed in this position.
13. Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or other relevant certification preferred.

Benefits Offered

In return for providing an excellent employee experience, we offer a great benefits package for full-time positions to include health and dental benefits, 401(k), holiday pay and paid time off.

Telecommute

Yes

Requisition Number

2025-15179