ABOUT THE COMPANY:
SAExploration offers a full range of geophysical ground acquisition services from design, prospecting, drilling, recording and analysis of field quality, as well as mobilization and demobilization of camps, environmental assessment, community relations and logistics services. SAExploration also offers marine geophysical acquisition services, specialized in ocean floor seismic (OBS) with capacities ranging from tidal zones, transition zones, shallow and deep waters and operating depths of 3,450 meters.
OVERVIEW:
We are seeking a versatile Payroll/Benefits Specialist to support full-cycle payroll processing for all company entities, including salaried and hourly employees in North America (US and Canada), alongside timely and accurate payroll for expatriates. This role ensures strict compliance with applicable wage, tax, and labor regulations while administering employee benefits and retirement programs (including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and 401(k)/RRSP plans).
RESPONSIBILITES:
PAYROLL MANAGEMENT
- Processing & Back-up: Serve as the primary back-up for all North American (NAM) payroll functions; prepare and process biweekly payroll data to ensure timely payment in compliance with federal, state/provincial, and local tax jurisdictions.
- Expatriate Payroll: Process expatriate payrolls, ensuring compliance with Personal Income Tax (PIT) regulations and managing shadow payrolls for international operations.
- Data Validation: Review and validate all payroll data; including new hires, compensation adjustments, transfers, tax filings, and terminations; to eliminate errors.
- Recordkeeping: File and maintain accurate payroll and timekeeping records in compliance with legal requirements and company processes; ensure all time entries are approved before processing.
- Auditing & Optimization: Conduct pre- and post-payroll internal audits, troubleshoot issues, and implement root-cause corrective actions.
- System Administration: Collaborate with the payroll system provider (ADP) to review, optimize, automate, and update payroll configurations.
- Support & Compliance: Answer employee payroll inquiries, research/resolve issues, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving US, Canadian, and international payroll regulations.
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
- Plan Administration: Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-/long-term disability, and pension/retirement plans.
- Enrollment & Lifecycle: Distribute enrollment materials, track employee eligibility, process enrollments/life status changes with carriers, and support the annual open enrollment process.
- Data Quality & Billing: Perform regular quality checks on benefits data, monitor and reconcile monthly benefit billing, and generate reporting for cost allocation.
- Employee Liaison: Educate employees on benefits offerings, act as a liaison between employees and insurance providers, and assist with claims resolution and plan inquiries.
- Leave Management: Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork.
- Compliance & Reporting: Complete ACA year-end reporting, coordinate 401(k) testing and audits, complete Form 5500 filings, and process Canadian Certificates of Coverage.
ADDITIONAL HR SUPPORT
- Government Reporting: Prepare and submit Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports and provide data for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other government agencies.
- Audits: Provide necessary documentation to support Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) payroll audits and manage quarterly/annual Workers' Compensation reporting and audits.
- Management Reporting: Prepare special compliance reports and payment analyses as requested by management.
- General Support: Assist with other HR functions, including general employee inquiries and departmental reporting.
NOTE: The responsibilities shown above are representative but not all-inclusive.
SKILLS and EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, tax, or an equivalent combination of formal certification and payroll experience.
- Certification: PCP (Payroll Compliance Professional) or CPM (Certified Payroll Manager) designation is highly preferred; US CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) designation is a strong asset.
- Core Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of full-cycle payroll and benefits administration experience covering both the US and Canada.
- Jurisdictions: 3+ years of experience processing multijurisdictional payrolls.
- Systems: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with ADP Workforce Now (or other ADP time and payroll products) and related accounting/payroll software.
- Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (specifically utilizing VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables).
- General knowledge and application of tax regulations, tax accounting principles, and standards.
- Strict adherence to confidentiality and the ability to exercise extreme discretion.
- Strong problem-solving skills, intense attention to detail, and excellent organizational/time-management habits.
- Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and handle high volumes of work during peak payroll cycles.
SAExploration is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have managing full-cycle payroll and benefits administration covering both the US and Canada?
- How many years of experience do you have processing multi-jurisdictional payrolls (across multiple states/provinces)?
- Do you have experience utilizing ADP Workforce Now?
- This position is a full-time, permanent role located entirely in-office in Calgary, AB. Are you comfortable working from this office location daily?
Work Location: In person
