Payroll Specialist (California & Multi-State Payroll)

Payroll Specialist (California & Multi-State Payroll)Location: Lawrenceville, GASalary: $80K-$100K base Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll operations for a multi-state workforce, with a strong emphasis on California payroll compliance and administration. This role will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, overseeing payroll taxes and garnishments, administering 401(k) and benefit deductions, and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in California wage and hour laws, multi-state payroll processing, retirement plan administration, and payroll systems. This individual will serve as a key resource for payroll-related matters while partnering closely with Human Resources, Finance, and Benefits teams to ensure operational excellence and compliance. Must have hands-on California payroll experience and experience processing payroll across multiple states. Key Responsibilities Manage full-cycle, end-to-end payroll processing for employees across multiple states, ensuring payroll accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.Process regular payroll cycles, off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, commissions, incentive payments, retroactive adjustments, and final paychecks.Serve as the subject matter expert for California payroll regulations, including wage and hour laws, meal/rest break requirements, overtime calculations, sick leave, and final pay compliance.Administer payroll for multi-state employee populations while ensuring adherence to state-specific tax, wage, and reporting requirements.Manage and reconcile payroll-related deductions, including benefits, garnishments, levies, child support orders, and voluntary deductions.Administer 401(k) payroll processes, including contribution calculations, audits, reconciliations, catch-up contributions, loan repayments, and compliance with plan requirements.Partner with Benefits and HR teams to ensure accurate processing of benefit deductions, enrollment changes, and retirement plan transactions.Prepare, validate, and reconcile payroll tax filings and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements.Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, payroll reconciliations, and audit preparation.Maintain payroll records, documentation, and reporting to support internal controls and external audits.Research and resolve complex payroll issues, employee inquiries, tax discrepancies, and payroll exceptions.Collaborate with Finance on payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and month-end close activities.Monitor changes in payroll legislation and ensure payroll practices remain compliant with all regulatory requirements.Participate in payroll system enhancements, testing, process improvements, and workflow optimization initiatives.Maintain strict confidentiality of employee payroll and compensation information. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred.Required: Paycom experience.3-7+ years of progressive payroll experience with responsibility for end-to-end payroll processing.Strong hands-on experience processing California payroll.Experience managing multi-state payroll operations across multiple jurisdictions.Demonstrated experience administering 401(k) plans and payroll-related retirement benefit processes.Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements.Experience handling garnishments, wage orders, tax levies, and benefit deductions.Understanding of payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting processes.Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, and payroll data analysis.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical payroll deadlines.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification is highly preferred. Preferred Experience Experience supporting high-volume payroll environments.Experience processing payroll for employees in California and multiple additional states.Strong knowledge of 401(k) administration, compliance testing support, and retirement plan reconciliations.Experience with payroll audits, SOX controls, and compliance reviews.Participation in payroll system implementations, upgrades, or process transformation initiatives.Experience supporting HRIS, workforce management, and timekeeping system integrations. Core Competencies End-to-End Payroll ProcessingCalifornia Payroll ComplianceMulti-State Payroll Administration401(k) Administration & Retirement PlansPayroll Tax CompliancePayroll Accounting & ReconciliationRegulatory Compliance & Risk ManagementProcess Improvement & AutomationEmployee Support & Issue ResolutionCross-Functional CollaborationData Accuracy & Quality ControlConfidentiality & Professional EthicsStrategic Problem SolvingPayroll Systems (Paycom) ExpertiseRequired Keywords: End-to-End Payroll Processing, California Payroll, Multi-State Payroll, Paycom, 401(k) Administration, Payroll Tax Compliance, Garnishments, Payroll Reconciliations, W-2 Processing, Payroll Audits. Desired Skills and Experience Payroll Administration Multi-State Payroll Processing Paycom Expertise Payroll Compliance Payroll Tax Reporting Federal & State Labor Law Knowledge Wage and Hour Compliance Benefits Administration Retirement Plan Processing General Ledger Reconciliations Payroll Accounting Financial Reporting Data Analysis Advanced Excel Payroll Auditing Internal Controls Tax Filing & Reporting Year-End Payroll Processing Employee Relations Customer Service Payroll Issue Resolution Process Improvement Workflow Optimization System Testing & Validation Payroll System Administration HRIS Experience Cross-Functional Collaboration Project Management Change Management Risk Assessment Compliance Monitoring Business Process Improvement Policy Interpretation Regulatory Research Documentation Management Vendor Management Quality Assurance Data Integrity Confidential Information Management Strategic Thinking Critical Thinking Problem Solving Decision Making EOE Statement: Specialist Staffing Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to base pay, direct-hire employees may be eligible for client offered benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, and paid leave where required by applicable law. Eligibility may vary based on factors such as location and hire date and is subject to change. To find out more about Huxley, please visit www.huxley.com