Elida Ortega

Results-driven Payroll &

Benefits Manager with 12 years of payroll processing experience and 10 years of comprehensive benefits administration, including full-cycle payroll for multi-state, multi-entity, and multi-client organizations. Proven track record of building payroll functions from the ground up, owning GL and balance-sheet reconciliations, managing external payroll and benefits vendors, and driving compliance across jurisdictions. Comfortable serving as the primary payroll subject-matter expert and cross-functional partner to HR, Accounting, Legal, and Finance.

Payroll & Benefits Manager at The Applied Companies (T.A.C.) (2025-04 – Present)

• Own and process end-to-end payroll for 29 client organizations across multiple pay frequencies, entity structures, and jurisdictions, serving as primary payroll subject-matter expert (SME).
• Administer payroll for multi-state, multi-entity clients, including tax compliance, garnishments, deductions, and earnings adjustments; resolve complex payroll issues through audits and reconciliations. Turnaround time is within 24 hours.
• Own and administer full-cycle benefits programs — medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and ancillary — for 12 client companies.
• Lead open enrollment planning and execution end-to-end, including employee communications, system configuration, and carrier coordination. With an average participation rate of over 90% and enrollment accuracy of 98%.
• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, and vendors; evaluate plan offerings and negotiate insurance quotes and renewals.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, COBRA, ERISA, and HIPAA across all client accounts; oversee eligibility, enrollments, terminations, and life-event changes.

Payroll & Benefits Administrator at Haws Corporation (2021-09 – 2025-04)

• Solely owned payroll, benefits, and insurance compliance for the entire North American (US/Canada) employee population, including taxes, state reporting, Form 5500, and nondiscrimination testing.
• Processed full-cycle payroll including recordkeeping, tax and voluntary deduction filings, garnishments/levies, accounting transactions, and management reporting.
• Achieved 100% accuracy in annual benefits enrollments and brought company-wide benefits participation to 85%.
• Implemented geofencing and 401(k) auto-enrollment, increasing retirement plan participation to 83%.
• Streamlined the Workers' Compensation and liability claims process, reducing administrative turnaround.

Human Resources Manager / Accounts Payable at Altairnano, Inc. (2020-01 – 2021-09)

• Owned all payroll and financial-related tax reporting, ensuring multi-state and federal compliance.
• Prepared general ledger entries and monthly financial reports; coordinated payroll and financial data for accurate quarterly reporting to the company's parent organization in China, gaining early exposure to cross-border financial and payroll coordination.
• Devised detailed 401(k) reporting and ensured COBRA compliance; met all internal and external audit requirements.
• Eliminated payroll errors to zero percent by creating and implementing payroll SOPs.
• Administered all employer-provided benefits (medical, dental, life, supplemental) and served as steward of the employee handbook.
• Increased workforce diversity by implementing affirmative action plans and leading community outreach efforts.

Payroll & Benefits Manager at Sun Basket, Inc. (2016-10 – 2019-10)

• Led benefits and payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees, ensuring compliance across taxes, state reporting, Form 5500, and nondiscrimination testing.
• Overhauled weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting practices, improving workforce planning and reducing overtime and meal-premium costs.
• Reduced payroll and manual check-entry errors by 25% and achieved 100% accuracy in annual benefits enrollments.
• Shortened month-end payroll and accounting close from prior baseline to three days.
• Brought company-wide benefits participation to 85%.

Payroll Specialist at Barrett Business Services, Inc. (2015-04 – 2016-11)

• Led all payroll operations for 45 clients in compliance with California state payroll law.
• Created error-free payroll cycles through continuous process improvement, cutting transactional errors by 75%.
• Delivered timely, accurate income-tax forms to employees and contractors; provided actionable payroll analytics to Accounting, Finance, and HR.
• Grew the client portfolio by 10 accounts through service quality and reliability.

Human Resources Generalist at Full Steam Staffing (2013-12 – 2015-04)

• Recruited, hired, and onboarded new employees; managing ongoing training and employee relations.
• Partnered with HR on salary adjustments, workers' compensation matters, benefits, and payroll.
• Reduced turnover by 15% and decreased workers' compensation claims and injuries by 25%.

M.B.A. in Finance – American Intercontinental University

B.B.A. in Human Resource Management – University of Puerto Rico