Payroll Specialist

Robert Half - El Segundo, CA

Full-time

El Segundo, CA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of employee payroll while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage confidential information. The Payroll Specialist collaborates with HR, accounting, and finance departments to maintain seamless payroll operations and address payroll-related issues.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payroll for employees in a multi-state environment, ensuring accuracy in wage calculations, tax deductions, and benefit contributions.
• Maintain and update employee payroll records, including salary adjustments, bonuses, deductions, and paid time off (PTO).
• Ensure compliance with all payroll regulations, including federal, state, and local tax laws, as well as wage and hour laws.
• Prepare and submit payroll tax filings, including W-2s, 1099s, and other required government documentation.
• Reconcile payroll data, perform audits to ensure accuracy, and resolve any discrepancies.
• Collaborate with the HR and benefits teams to ensure accurate processing of employee benefits, such as retirement plans, health insurance, and other deductions.
• Address and resolve payroll inquiries from employees regarding pay, taxes, or deductions.
• Stay updated on changes to payroll laws and best practices to ensure compliance and continuous process improvement.
• Assist in the preparation of payroll-related reports for management, finance, and auditing purposes.
• Support the finance team in general ledger reconciliations related to payroll expenses.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in payroll processing, preferably in a multi-state or multi-country environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paychex, or similar) and proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Solid understanding of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance standards.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of accuracy and problem-solving capabilities.
• Certification in payroll (CPP or FPC) is a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Certification in payroll (CPP or FPC) is a plus.