Payroll Specialist II

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and process weekly payroll for a larger and more complex workforce, including salaried, hourly, and temporary employees, and handle complex calculations for bonuses, retroactive pay, and special pay types.
• Perform final checks on payroll data accuracy, reviewing for compliance with applicable labor laws.
• Develop and refine payroll checklists, workflows, and documentation to standardize and improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with California and federal labor laws, keeping current with changes to wage and hour regulations, benefits, and deductions requirements.
• Partner with payroll provider (Paylocity) to prepare and review quarterly and annual tax filings, as well as payroll tax reports (e.g., 941, W-2, 1099) to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct payroll audits regularly and recommend corrective actions to maintain compliance.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll issues, responding to inquiries that require advanced payroll knowledge.
• Educate employees and managers on payroll policies, new tax requirements, and benefit changes to ensure a clear understanding of processes and updates.
• Lead payroll-related training sessions for new hires and ongoing employee education programs.
• Act as the payroll systems expert, managing updates, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing payroll software Paylocity.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to develop and implement payroll process improvements, enhance reporting capabilities, and ensure system efficiency.
• Identify and recommend payroll process improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency, such as automating manual calculations or refining reporting capabilities.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior payroll staff, assisting with complex calculations and best practices.
• Support the Director of People in developing and implementing payroll-related training and development for team members.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects and initiatives, representing the payroll function and offering insights based on expertise.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience: Minimum of 4-5 years of payroll experience, with at least 1-2 years at an advanced or specialist level.
• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of California and federal payroll laws, and experience with complex payroll scenarios, including tax laws, garnishments, and benefits coordination.
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paylocity preferred) and strong analytical skills, with expertise in Excel and reporting tools.
• Leadership Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to provide guidance and mentorship to team members and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and with integrity.