Senior Payroll Specialist

D3 Search is actively seeking a Snr. Payroll Specialist on behalf of a top-rated AMLAW ranked global practice with its headquartered offices located in San Francisco, CA (94105).

Position Title🎯:

Snr. Payroll Specialist

Location/Map📌:

San Francisco, CA (94105)

Employer Work Model:

Hybrid 3/2 work model.

Position Summary📒:

As a Senior Payroll Specialist, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring seamless payroll operations across assigned pay cycles—from day-to-day processing to off-cycle runs. You’ll be the go-to person for delivering accurate, timely payroll while maintaining compliance across taxes, PTO, and leave records. Beyond execution, you’ll help elevate the function by troubleshooting issues, supporting teammates, and driving process improvements that enhance efficiency and client satisfaction. If you’re detail-driven, solutions-oriented, and take pride in getting payroll right every time, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Key Responsibilities🗝:

• Verify accuracy and reasonability of payroll data from multiple systems (e.g., Workday, 3E, WorkForce) and update the payroll database for non-interface changes
• Ensure all tax forms (e.g., W-4, questionnaires) are properly completed, maintained, and reflected in the payroll system
• Maintain correct wage reporting and tax withholding based on employee status, location, and pay structure
• Apply deep knowledge of payroll policies, pay group rules, and wage and hour regulations to ensure compliant processing
• Process regular and off-cycle payrolls, including auditing, reporting, and filing with a high degree of accuracy
• Administer garnishments end-to-end, including setup, calculations, communications, and payment disbursement
• Manage leave of absence tracking and calculations, applying complex policies and ensuring accurate pay treatment
• Process non-cash benefits, overtime, expenses, and deductions in compliance with firm policies and tax regulations
• Research, reconcile, and support payroll tax compliance, including complex and multi-jurisdictional taxation scenarios
• Provide responsive, confidential support to employees and stakeholders on payroll, tax, and leave-related inquiries while maintaining thorough documentation

Candidate Qualifications📢:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience) with 6 years of multi-state and global payroll experience
• Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, including federal, state, and local wage and hour laws
• Strong understanding of multi-state and remote work tax reporting and withholding; expatriate payroll experience preferred
• Professional certification such as APA Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred
• Experience with integrated business systems, including Ascentis Payroll, WorkForce Software, Workday HCM, and Dayforce HCM
• Working knowledge of GDPR, California, and other applicable data privacy regulations
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to produce accurate, detailed work and partner effectively across teams
• Highly organized and dependable, with strong technical skills (spreadsheets/databases), sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple priorities from start to finish

Annual Salary💵/Compensation💰 & Health Benefits:

Starting annual salary/comp. is up to 145K | DOE/DOQ plus a comprehensive health benefits package, generous PTO, paid parking onsite, high functioning & tenured support staff, annual reviews, etc.

If interested in this full-time/direct hire Snr. Payroll Specialist role with this respected AMLAW ranked CA-based law practice headquartered in San Francisco, CA (94105), and you meet the above qualifications/requirements, please contact the following D3 rep.:

Domenic Ferrante ~ D3 Search

📬domenic@d3search.com |☎213-785-2485

🌐www.d3search.com

D3 Legal Search LLC (aka D3 Search), and its clients are equal opportunity employers. Pursuant to local ordinances, we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.