SARAH WALTER

Beginning as a Payroll Specialist at Modern Aviation, I transformed payroll operations, optimized HR technology solutions, and grew into benefits administration, ultimately advancing into a Payroll & Benefits Analyst role. Continuously seeking growth, I have broadened my expertise across HR functions, collaborating on acquisitions, implementations, 401(k) audits, leave administration, and employee relations.

As the subject matter expert for our HRIS system (Paycom), I lead workflow optimizations, system enhancements, and training initiatives that improve efficiency across HR operations. I take pride in developing employee trainings, crafting benefits and well-being resources, and streamlining processes that strengthen HR visibility—from pre-employment to onboarding and beyond.

Partnering closely with the VP of HR, executives, and General Managers, I contribute to high-level decision-making, drive compliance, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration with brokers and leadership teams. Through these experiences, I have built a solid foundation in human resources. I am prepared to take on a higher-level role where I can support leadership, drive people-focused initiatives, and enhance organizational effectiveness. My experience enables me to foster a positive and high-performing work environment while aligning HR strategies with business goals.

Achievements:

• Benefits Program Implementation & Optimization: Led the successful transformation of benefits administration, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to implement streamlined benefits programs that enhance employee experience. Conducted user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure smooth integrations and process improvements.
• 401(k) Management & Compliance: Managed all aspects of the 401(k) program, including day-to-day inquiries, annual audits, compliance testing, annual true-up calculations, and administrative corrections. Provided essential communication to leadership and employees to facilitate informed decision-making and ensure regulatory compliance.
• HRIS System Leadership & Process Automation: Acted as the subject matter expert for HRIS systems (Paycom and future-state platforms), spearheading workflow optimizations, system updates, and custom integrations to improve operational efficiency across HR functions. Ensured seamless benefits processing and maintained data integrity through audits and compliance measures.
• Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Ensured full compliance with state and federal labor regulations by conducting routine audits and identifying discrepancies. Partnered with internal teams and Total Rewards leadership to implement corrective solutions while maintaining accurate benefits recordkeeping and payroll deductions.
• Employee Communication & Benefits Engagement: Developed and managed benefits and wellness communications, creating educational resources that increased employee awareness and appreciation of their benefits package. Led initiatives to improve transparency and accessibility for employees navigating HR processes.
• Training & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Designed and facilitated employee training sessions on benefits administration, payroll procedures, and company-wide HR policies to improve understanding and efficiency. Worked closely with executives, General Managers, brokers, and HR leadership to ensure alignment of benefits strategies with organizational goals.
• Continuous Process Improvement & Innovation: Stayed at the forefront of industry trends, proactively identifying opportunities to implement innovative solutions that enhance benefits offerings, streamline workflows, and drive overall efficiency. Played a key role in process evaluations, system enhancements, and employee engagement initiatives.

As a Payroll Specialist at Knapp Business Solutions, I am responsible for processing weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls across multiple states. With expertise in navigating various state tax regulations, I manage 61 payrolls with accuracy and efficiency. My strong organizational skills and attention to detail allow me to maintain high levels of efficiency in a fast-paced environment. I have built excellent relationships with clients and co-workers, ensuring smooth communication and timely payroll processing.

Achievements:

• Efficiency Improvements: Streamlining payroll processes to improve turnaround time and reduce administrative costs, contributing to overall operational efficiency.
• Multi-State Payroll Management: Successfully processing payroll for employees across multiple states, adapting to varying tax laws and requirements.
• Training & Development: Training new payroll staff or cross-training in other HR functions, contributing to a more knowledgeable and versatile team.
• Timely Payroll Processing: Ensuring payroll deadlines are consistently met with no delays, even during high-volume periods or complex payroll cycles.
• Compliance Mastery: Staying up to date with federal, state, and local tax laws, ensuring all payrolls are fully compliant with regulations and avoiding any penalties.
• Employee Satisfaction: Building positive relationships with employees by addressing payroll inquiries and concerns, enhancing overall employee satisfaction.

As the Administrative Lead for all Smith Companies, including two rehab facilities in Oregon and South Texas, I oversee a range of critical administrative functions for multiple businesses. My responsibilities include managing bookkeeping tasks, payroll processing, payroll taxes, and employee insurance. Additionally, I supervise other administrative personnel across the various locations, ensuring smooth operations. I am also responsible for creating and maintaining accurate, organized filing systems, as well as managing the schedules of all executives to ensure efficient time management and operational efficiency.

Achievements:

• Financial & Records Management: Maintained accurate records, ensuring timely processing of invoices, payments, and financial reports. Managed client files and adhered to strict safety procedures, preventing breaches and ensuring compliance with data security standards.
• Office Efficiency & Workflow Optimization: Streamlined office systems and procedures by implementing new tools and practices that improved overall productivity, reducing time spent on administrative tasks. Coordinated daily operations to enhance staff management and task prioritization.
• Payroll & Benefits Administration: Managed payroll and employee insurance for a large team, ensuring timely and accurate processing while maintaining compliance with tax regulations. Introduced efficiency improvements that minimized errors and streamlined reporting.
• Process Improvements & Patient Experience: Implemented more efficient administrative processes, reducing paperwork and optimizing patient intake procedures, leading to increased operational efficiency. Worked closely with clinical teams to address patient concerns, enhancing satisfaction and retention rates.
• Data Management & Compliance: Updated reports, managed accounts, and generated key reports for the company database. Maintained a high level of confidentiality when handling sensitive company and personal information, ensuring trust and professionalism in all interactions.