Payroll Specialist

About the role

The Payroll Specialist supports accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for multiple Missionwell clients. This is a junior-level role, but not an entry-level training position. The right person already understands core payroll concepts, can manage deadlines, and can quickly learn new client workflows and systems with reasonable guidance.

Primary Responsibilities

• Process assigned client payrolls accurately and on time across varying schedules, workflows, and systems.
• Review timecards, payroll changes, deductions, reimbursements, final pay, and other payroll inputs for accuracy and completeness.
• Reconcile payroll reports, flag discrepancies, and escalate unusual entries or compliance concerns.
• Support California payroll compliance, including overtime, wage statements, sick leave, meal/rest break premiums, and final pay timing.
• Maintain accurate employee and payroll data in payroll, HRIS, timekeeping, and shared work systems.
• Respond to routine payroll questions, research issues, document answers, and protect confidential information.
• Identify recurring issues, bottlenecks, or inefficiencies and suggest practical improvements.

What You Bring

• 1–3 years of hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Solid understanding of payroll cycles, timekeeping, deductions, gross-to-net basics, reporting, and reconciliation.
• California payroll knowledge strongly preferred, including overtime, sick leave, wage statements, final pay, and meal/rest break premiums.
• Strong discretion, accuracy, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple payroll calendars and priorities without losing track of deadlines.
• Curious, adaptable mindset with the ability to learn quickly, ask good questions, and improve processes.
• Experience with ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, isolved, Paychex, Paylocity, Rippling, or similar systems is a plus.

You’ll Thrive Here

• Care deeply about getting payroll right because people are counting on it.
• Like organized, deadline-driven work and can juggle multiple moving pieces.
• Notice when something looks off and are willing to dig in before it becomes a bigger issue.
• Want your payroll skills to support organizations doing meaningful community-centered work.

Physical Requirements

• Extended periods of sitting, standing, and typing.
• Repetitive hand, arm, and finger movement.

Schedule

This is a part-time, non-exempt role averaging approximately 20 hours per week. Preferred schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with some flexibility based on time zone, client needs, and payroll deadlines.

Work Location

This is a remote position; occasional travel may be required. Candidates must reside in one of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MT, NC, NV, or TN.

Technology Requirements

• A dedicated, distraction-free workspace with privacy for confidential conversations and work.
• Reliable internet access and the ability to work effectively in a remote environment.
• This fully remote role includes an internet allowance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Missionwell is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.