Payroll Specialist

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to join our growing Payroll team. This is not an entry-level payroll position. The successful candidate must have hands-on experience processing high-volume, multi-state, multi-FEIN payroll, including California payroll, using ADP Workforce Now (WFN).

This position supports end-to-end payroll processing while performing detailed payroll audits, researching discrepancies, processing commissions and other variable compensation, reviewing timekeeping exceptions, and ensuring payroll is completed accurately and on time.

We are looking for someone who understands payroll beyond data entry - someone who can recognize when something does not look right, research the issue, understand the payroll and tax implications, and elevate concerns when appropriate.

ADP Workforce Now, multi-state payroll, multi-FEIN payroll, and California payroll experience are REQUIRED.

• Process high-volume payroll accurately and within established payroll deadlines.
• Process payroll across multiple states and multiple FEINs/company codes.
• Perform pre-payroll and post-payroll audits to identify discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Review payroll registers, employee-level results, exception reports, and payroll variances.
• Process approved new hires, terminations, transfers, compensation changes, deductions, bonuses, commissions, incentives, and other payroll transactions.
• Review timekeeping records for missing punches, exceptions, approvals, and other discrepancies; work with managers to resolve issues before payroll deadlines.
• Process and audit regular wages, overtime, supplemental wages, bonuses, commissions, and other variable compensation.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee pay issues; process authorized corrections and off-cycle payments.
• Review and process deductions, garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other payroll deductions.
• Review payroll tax setup and identify potential state or local tax discrepancies.
• Assist with payroll reconciliations, payroll accounting activities, quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, and W-2 review.
• Maintain complete payroll documentation and audit support; assist with audits, system testing, process improvements, acquisitions, and company-code changes.
• Follow established payroll procedures, approval requirements, segregation of duties, and internal controls.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee compensation, tax, banking, garnishment, and other sensitive payroll information.

The successful candidate must have hands-on California payroll experience and be comfortable working with California-specific payroll requirements, including:

• California overtime and double-time requirements
• Daily and weekly overtime calculations
• Meal and rest-period considerations as they relate to payroll
• California sick leave requirements
• Final-pay timing requirements and termination/final paycheck processing
• California wage statements
• Supplemental and variable compensation
• Regular-rate-of-pay considerations
• California state and local payroll taxation
• Payroll corrections and retroactive adjustments

The Payroll Specialist is expected to recognize California payroll issues that require additional review and escape potential compliance concerns to the Senior Payroll Manager.

• 3+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience
• Multi-state payroll processing experience
• Multi-FEIN / multi-company payroll processing experience
• Hands-on California payroll experience
• Hands-on ADP Workforce Now (WFN) payroll processing experience
• Experience processing payroll from beginning through final payroll review
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxation
• Experience with payroll deductions, garnishments, bonuses, commissions, and supplemental wages
• Experience reviewing and auditing employee timekeeping data
• Strong payroll reconciliation and auditing skills
• Intermediate or advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced payroll environment
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately

Candidates should have actual payroll-processing experience within ADP Workforce Now, including payroll processing and cycles, employee payroll data, earnings and deductions, time and attendance integration, payroll reports and registers, payroll…