Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to support accurate and timely payroll operations for a large employee population in California. This is a contract position suited for a hands-on, detail-oriented payroll specialist who can step in quickly, work independently, and manage complex payroll activity with minimal ramp-up time. The ideal candidate brings strong technical payroll knowledge, experience with high-volume processing, and confidence working with non-exempt and piece-rate pay structures.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end payroll for approximately 1,500 employees while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.

• Manage multi-state payroll activities, including review of earnings, deductions, taxes, and other payroll inputs across a large workforce.

• Use payroll systems to enter, audit, validate, and finalize payroll data, resolving discrepancies before payroll completion.

• Review non-exempt employee pay records to ensure regular wages, overtime, and piece-rate compensation are calculated correctly.

• Perform payroll reconciliations and verify changes such as new hires, terminations, pay adjustments, and benefit-related deductions.

• Partner with internal teams to address payroll questions, investigate variances, and support smooth payroll execution during each cycle.

• Maintain accurate payroll records and help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour requirements.

• Assist with payroll-related reporting and support ongoing process needs tied to day-to-day payroll operations.

• At least 2 years of payroll experience in a high-volume environment.

• Proven ability to process full-cycle payroll with accuracy and limited supervision.

• Strong working knowledge of multi-state payroll practices and compliance requirements.

• Hands-on experience with Paycom and Rippling is required.

• Experience supporting payroll for workforces of 500 or more employees.

• Familiarity with non-exempt payroll and piece-rate compensation structures.

• Solid technical skills and the ability to learn payroll processes quickly in a fast-paced setting.

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• All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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