Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist (Confidential Search)

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Status: Direct Hire

Compensation: $30–$36/hour (DOE)

Skills Required: ADP WFN, Multi-state Payroll, and Advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP)

Position Overview:

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to handle full-cycle payroll processing with a strong emphasis on accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality. This role will oversee payroll for a multi-state employee group, ensuring all time, pay, and deduction information is processed correctly. The position works closely with HR and Accounting on employee updates, benefit changes, audits, and payroll inquiries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly payroll in ADP Workforce Now, confirming all hours, earnings, deductions, and tax details are accurate.
• Review and reconcile timecards to ensure compliance with company policies and labor regulations.
• Verify employees have sufficient PTO balances before approving time-off entries.
• Enter and maintain employee updates such as new hires, terminations, personal information changes, and accrual adjustments.
• Calculate and prepare final pay for departing employees per federal and state labor requirements.
• Issue manual checks, bonuses, and off-cycle payments as needed.
• Review temporary staffing invoices to ensure hours billed match internal timekeeping records; confirm correct rates and department codes before sending to Accounting.
• Manage updates to 401(k) contributions, including loans and distributions; ensure timely remittance of all contributions.
• Confirm benefit deductions, garnishments, and all other payroll-related adjustments are accurate; research discrepancies as needed.
• Collaborate with HR, supervisors, and Accounting to resolve payroll issues.
• Generate recurring and ad hoc payroll reports on a bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Maintain compliant, secure payroll records that meet privacy and retention standards.
• Assist with quarterly and yearly payroll reporting, including taxes, wage statements, W-2s, and reconciliations.
• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits.
• Ensure payroll practices remain compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws.
• Serve as a resource for employee payroll questions and timekeeping concerns.

Qualifications:

• 3 years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a multi-state environment
• Strong knowledge of ADP Workforce Now (or similar HRIS/payroll system)
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP
• Understanding of wage and hour laws, payroll tax requirements, and payroll compliance
• Experience with PTO and accrual management
• High attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Equal Opportunity

Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance