Payroll Specialist

Overview

This role is a 3–6 month contract assignment for an experienced Payroll Specialist. The position supports payroll operations by ensuring accurate and timely processing of multi-state payrolls. The specialist will collaborate with HR, Benefits, and Accounting to address employee inquiries, maintain precise payroll records, and support compliance with applicable payroll regulations.

Responsibilities

• Process high-volume, multi-state payroll accurately and on schedule to ensure timely delivery of employee wages.
• Review payroll data for earnings, deductions, taxes, bonuses, commissions, and garnishments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including California-specific payroll laws.
• Manage onboarding of new hires, employee status changes, pay rate adjustments, and terminations.
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries, including issues related to wage garnishments, levies, and child support orders.
• Reconcile payroll reports and support month-end and quarter-end closing activities.
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and year-end activities, including W-2 processing, and ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Generate payroll reports, analyze data for accuracy, and provide insights to relevant teams.
• Partner with HR, Benefits, and Accounting teams to ensure seamless payroll operations and data integrity.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate payroll documentation and records.
• Stay current on payroll regulations and best practices to support ongoing compliance.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of payroll processing experience, with a focus on multi-state payroll management.
• Proven experience supporting high-volume payroll environments.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll laws, including regulations specific to California.
• Hands-on experience with payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now, UKG, Dayforce, Workday, Paylocity, or similar platforms.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and reporting functionalities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy when processing payroll data.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to efficiently resolve employee inquiries.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications or training in payroll processing.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans (eligible employees).
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.
• This is a contract position.

Location

Multi-state payroll processing responsibilities, including California-specific payroll compliance (location not specified).