Payroll and Benefits Associate

Location: St. Petersburg, FL > Pinellas Park (33781) – Hybrid role with a minimum of two days per week in-office

The Role

IMS is seeking a motivated Payroll & Benefits Associate to join our growing team and support payroll, benefits, and HR compliance services for international clients operating in the United States.

This is much more than a routine payroll position. Every client is different, and you'll gain exposure to payroll, benefits, compliance, and employment matters as international businesses establish and grow their U.S. operations. It's an excellent opportunity for someone with a solid payroll foundation who is looking to broaden their experience and build a career in a client-focused consulting environment.

Success in this role comes from being curious, adaptable, and willing to learn. While accuracy and attention to detail are essential, we also value people who enjoy solving problems, asking questions, and helping clients navigate unfamiliar situations. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues who will support your development and help you build both your technical knowledge and client advisory skills.

As your experience grows, you'll take on greater responsibility, develop expertise across payroll and benefits, and have opportunities to progress within the business.

The Company

International Management Solutions Inc. is an accounting and consulting firm committed to supporting European companies as they navigate the complexities of doing business in the USA. Our role is to serve as a trusted partner, guiding our clients through the unique challenges they may face when setting up operations in a new market.

Why work for IMS?

Impactful Work – Help international businesses successfully establish and grow in the U.S., making a real difference to clients navigating an unfamiliar market.

Career Growth & Development – Build your expertise in U.S. payroll, benefits, and compliance while learning IMS’s broader consulting approach. As your experience develops, you will have the opportunity to expand into wider HR advisory services, supporting international clients with employee mobility, cross-border moves, and the broader challenges of managing a global workforce.

Flexibility – Enjoy hybrid working, supporting work-life balance

Collaborative Culture – Join a friendly, multinational, and supportive team that values initiative, collaboration and teamwork across all levels of the company.

Comprehensive Benefits – generous healthcare coverage, 401(k), 20 days PTO

Primary Responsibilities

Working alongside Account Managers and Payroll Associates, you'll help deliver an exceptional client experience while continuing to develop your technical and consulting skills.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the timely and accurate processing of client payrolls.
• Assisting with payroll implementation for new clients, including payroll setup, registrations, and employment documentation.
• Supporting the administration of employee benefits, including healthcare and 401(k) retirement plans.
• Responding to payroll and benefits questions from clients and internal colleagues.
• Resolving payroll tax notices, reporting authorizations, missing filings and payments by working with payroll providers and government agencies.
• Assisting with payroll vendor relationships and coordinating with providers such as ADP, Paychex, and others.
• Supporting clients in understanding U.S. payroll, benefits, and employment compliance requirements.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and contribute to the continued growth of the payroll function.
• Participating in client meetings and developing your consulting and communication skills.

Ideal Requirements

To succeed in this role, you will need to be solutions-oriented, collaborative, reliable, adaptable, and able to tackle tasks in a consultative way, focusing on clearing items efficiently.

• Experience processing U.S. payroll, including payroll setup or implementation.
• Knowledge of U.S. employee benefits, including healthcare and retirement plans.
• Experience working with payroll software such as ADP, Paychex, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting multiple clients, ideally within an accounting firm, professional services, or other client-focused environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to solve problems and work through situations that may not have a standard answer.
• Strong communication skills and a client-focused mindset.
• Willingness to learn and develop broader expertise in payroll, benefits, and U.S. employment compliance.
• Must be able to reliably commute to our office (ZIP code 33781) at least two days per week.

To apply

Please upload your resume in PDF format and complete our screening questions to help us review and shortlist candidates efficiently.

Video screening calls will commence immediately. Weekend times are also available; please indicate if you are available for weekend calls in your application.

We look forward to your application.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have any experience working with international clients?

Experience:

• Client services: 1 year (Required)
• Payroll: 2 years (Required)
• Benefits administration: 1 year (Required)
• Multi-State Payroll: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pinellas Park, FL 33781