Payroll Accountant (Temp)

Vagaro•Pleasanton, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Vagaro is hiring a temporary Payroll Accountant for a three-month assignment, with the possibility of extension. The role is based onsite in Pleasanton, California, Monday through Friday, and pays $50–$55 per hour. The position manages accurate and timely payroll processing, payroll-related employee benefits administration, accounting, reporting, and regulatory compliance. It collaborates with Finance, HR, and Legal and handles confidential employee information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, accounting, finance, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience as a Payroll and Benefits Specialist or in a similar role, preferably in a medium- to large-sized organization.
Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Strong Excel skills, including functions, data organization, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and automation techniques.
At least 2 years of practical, hands-on responsibility with general ledger accounting and reporting systems.
In-depth knowledge of multi-state payroll processing, payroll and tax regulations, and reporting requirements.
Familiarity with payroll software and timekeeping systems.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Understanding of employee benefits programs and administration.
Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and protect data privacy.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with employees, benefits providers, and internal stakeholders.
Problem-solving skills and ability to resolve payroll issues efficiently.

Nice To Haves

Experience with NetSuite Accounting Software.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or another relevant certification.
Workday payroll experience.
General ledger accounting experience.

Responsibilities

Process multi-state and multi-country payroll accurately and on schedule; maintain payroll records and process adjustments, deductions, bonuses, and other earnings.
Review payroll reports, resolve discrepancies, respond to employee payroll inquiries, and maintain confidentiality.
Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding in payroll and HRIS systems, including final paychecks in accordance with state labor laws.
Stay current with payroll regulations and best practices; reconcile payroll accounts after processing cycles and at month-end.
Assist with year-end payroll tasks, including W-2 generation, payroll data reconciliation, and reporting.
Prepare annual pay-increase and bonus spreadsheets, distribute them, and ensure bonuses, commissions, and increases are processed on time.
Check regularly for returned direct deposits and resolve issues in the system.
Approve expense reimbursements according to company policy and communicate policy violations to managers and Finance leadership.
Reconcile benefits accounts and invoices by the third week of each month; reconcile 401(k) deferrals and employer matches each payroll cycle.
Ensure timely benefit funding and garnishments, and support open enrollment by verifying payroll deductions.
Prepare and post payroll journal entries; reconcile payroll accounts for wages, taxes, benefits, and deductions.
Assist with payroll- and benefits-related month-end and year-end close; prepare financial reports and account reconciliation files, benefit invoices, and tax reconciliations in Excel.
Complete monthly flux analysis by the stated deadline and ensure NetSuite and payroll account associations are accurate.
Support audits, including workers’ compensation and annual 401(k) audits, by supplying documentation and resolving discrepancies.
Prepare and distribute payroll reports, tax forms such as W-2s and 1095-Cs, and other required documents.
Support annual P11D filings and compliance with HMRC regulations; set up new payroll states as needed and ensure payroll taxes are paid on time.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local tax rules and safeguard employee data in accordance with privacy regulations and internal policies.