Senior Payroll Specialist

Vaco - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Los Angeles, CA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

Vaco is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Payroll Specialist to join our team. The Senior Payroll Specialist will play a crucial role in managing the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. This position requires extensive knowledge of payroll practices, strong analytical skills, and the ability to handle complex payroll scenarios. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the processing of bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for all employees, ensuring accurate entry of working hours, wages, bonuses, and commissions. Additionally, the Senior Payroll Specialist will handle off-cycle payrolls and payroll adjustments as needed, as well as process payroll for new hires, terminations, and other employee changes. Compliance is a key aspect of this role, as the Senior Payroll Specialist will ensure adherence to federal, state, and local payroll regulations. This includes preparing and submitting payroll tax filings and reports, tracking and deducting garnishments, tax levies, and other special payroll deductions. Regular audits will be conducted to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance, and the specialist will reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports. Addressing and resolving any discrepancies in payroll data is also a critical responsibility. In terms of systems management, the Senior Payroll Specialist will maintain and update payroll systems and employee records, assist in the implementation and maintenance of payroll software, and collaborate with IT and HR departments to resolve system issues. Employee support is another important aspect of this role, as the specialist will address and resolve complex payroll-related queries and concerns from employees, provide guidance on payroll policies and procedures, and educate employees on payroll-related topics and changes. Finally, the Senior Payroll Specialist will take on a leadership role by supervising and mentoring junior payroll staff, delegating tasks, and ensuring efficient workflow within the payroll team. The specialist will also assist in the development and implementation of payroll training programs, contributing to the overall success of the payroll department.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the processing of bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly payrolls for all employees.
• Ensure accurate entry of working hours, wages, bonuses, and commissions.
• Handle off-cycle payrolls and payroll adjustments as needed.
• Process payroll for new hires, terminations, and other employee changes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations.
• Prepare and submit payroll tax filings and reports.
• Track and deduct garnishments, tax levies, and other special payroll deductions.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Reconcile payroll prior to transmission and validate confirmed reports.
• Address and resolve any discrepancies in payroll data.
• Maintain and update payroll systems and employee records.
• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of payroll software.
• Collaborate with IT and HR departments to resolve system issues.
• Address and resolve complex payroll-related queries and concerns from employees.
• Provide guidance on payroll policies and procedures.
• Educate employees on payroll-related topics and changes.
• Supervise and mentor junior payroll staff.
• Delegate tasks and ensure efficient workflow within the payroll team.
• Assist in the development and implementation of payroll training programs.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4-5 years of payroll processing experience.
• Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paychex, Workday) and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• In-depth understanding of payroll practices, tax regulations, and wage and hour laws.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.