Payroll Specialist

Position Summary
A well-established regional law firm based in Los Angeles is seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Payroll Specialist to join its team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional to contribute to a dynamic legal environment while enjoying competitive compensation, robust benefits, and a supportive hybrid work model.

Key Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll in ADP for both exempt and non-exempt U.S.-based employees, ensuring accuracy across all components including base pay, payroll taxes, 401(k) contributions, statutory and supplemental benefits.

• Research and reconcile payroll tax issues from prior periods, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

• Conduct timesheet audits and assist with correcting missed punches.

• Review and validate timesheets for all non-exempt employees, ensuring manager approvals and accurate calculations of overtime, shift differentials, and other pay variables.

• Oversee daily payroll operations, including onboarding for new hires, terminations, direct deposit setup, garnishments, vacation accruals, tax adjustments, healthcare premium deductions, and off-cycle checks.

• Maintain compliance with IRS regulations, federal and state tax laws, wage and hour rules, and local requirements.

• Identify opportunities to streamline and scale payroll processes, implementing system improvements where needed.

• Stay current on regulatory changes and payroll trends, implementing updates to ensure compliance and operational best practices.

• Ensure benefit enrollment data in the HRIS is accurate and timely, supporting vendor communication and eligibility validation.

• Perform quality checks on benefits-related data and respond to employee and manager inquiries regarding 401(k) plans, enrollments, contributions, and changes.

• Manage the annual catch-up contribution enrollment process and assist with open enrollment.

• Provide reports and data for internal billing, cost allocation, and audit purposes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.

• 3–5 years of payroll processing experience, ideally within a professional services or legal environment.

• Strong knowledge of federal and California employment and payroll laws.

• Proficient in ADP systems; prior experience with payroll system implementation is a plus.

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

• Certification such as Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is preferred.

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and maintain strict confidentiality.

• Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $95,000 – $105,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications (DOE/DOQ)

• Comprehensive health benefits package

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and hybrid work model (4 days on-site, 1 remote)

• Paid onsite parking

• Annual performance reviews and merit-based salary increases

• Lucrative bonus opportunities

• Numerous additional employee-focused perks and incentives