Payroll Specialist

Position Summary The Payroll Specialist is responsible for the technical, back-end processing of payroll from pre-processing through final reconciliation and reporting. This position requires strong hands-on payroll experience and a thorough understanding of payroll calculations, deductions, garnishments, taxes, adjustments, and payroll accounting. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently within payroll systems, identifying and correcting discrepancies, reconciling payroll data, and ensuring each payroll is processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with federal and state requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Manage and process payroll from beginning to end, ensuring accuracy and timely completion.
• Audit payroll data prior to processing and identify discrepancies or exceptions.
• Process salary and pay-rate changes, bonuses, retroactive pay, payroll adjustments, and corrections.
• Set up and maintain direct deposit information and employee payroll deductions.
• Calculate and process garnishments, child support orders, levies, and other court-ordered deductions in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Process non-taxable reimbursements and other special payroll transactions.
• Review payroll registers and validate payroll prior to final submission.
• Process off-cycle or manual checks when required.
• Complete payroll period, month-end, quarter-end, and year-end processes.

Payroll Reconciliation & Accounting

• Reconcile payroll after each processing cycle and research discrepancies.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of payroll-related general ledger accounts.
• Reconcile payroll deductions, employee accounts, and other payroll-related balances.
• Review payroll tax calculations and reports for accuracy.
• Support quarterly Form 941 reporting and unemployment filings.
• Prepare payroll reconciliations and supporting documentation for Accounting.
• Research and correct payroll variances, incorrect deductions, payment issues, and system discrepancies.

Payroll Systems & Data Management

• Maintain accurate payroll and employee data within UKG or similar payroll systems.
• Review system-generated exception reports and correct errors before payroll is finalized.
• Maintain payroll files, deduction records, garnishment information, and supporting documentation.
• Process PTO adjustments and PTO sell-back transactions.
• Maintain payroll spreadsheets and supporting schedules for deductions and other payroll activity.
• Ensure payroll system changes and adjustments are accurately reflected in payroll processing.

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure payroll processing complies with applicable federal and state wage, tax, garnishment, and payroll requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive payroll and employee information.
• Maintain accurate payroll process documentation and internal controls.
• Assist with internal and external payroll audits.
• Provide historical payroll data and supporting documentation when requested.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of hands-on payroll processing experience.
• Demonstrated experience processing payroll independently or with limited supervision.
• Strong knowledge of payroll calculations, deductions, garnishments, adjustments, and reconciliations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations.
• Experience researching and resolving complex payroll discrepancies.
• Strong Excel and payroll-system skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred:

• Experience with UKG or a comparable payroll/HRIS platform.
• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.
• Experience with payroll general ledger reconciliation and quarter/year-end processing.

What We're Really Looking For This is not primarily a front-end payroll support or timekeeping role. We need someone who understands what happens behind the scenes to actually get payroll processed correctly.

The strongest candidate will be able to speak confidently about:

• Running payroll from start to finish
• Pre-processing and payroll audits
• Payroll calculations and corrections
• Garnishments and deductions
• Payroll taxes
• Payroll reconciliation
• General ledger payroll accounts
• Quarter- and year-end processing
• Troubleshooting payroll discrepancies
• UKG or comparable payroll systems
• Maintaining accuracy in a deadline-driven payroll environment

Pay Details: $25.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

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

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.