Payroll & Benefits Specialist

Riser Fitness, LLC • Costa Mesa, CA

13d • $75,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Payroll & Benefits Specialist to join our rapidly growing, multi-state organization. This on-site, full-time, Monday through Friday role reports to the Payroll & Benefits Manager and focuses primarily on payroll processing across multiple states, with an emphasis on state-specific wage-and-hour and tax requirements. Benefits responsibilities will initially be limited to backup support, but candidates should understand how benefit deductions, including pre-tax, post-tax, and retirement plan deductions, interact with payroll.
This position is ideal for a self-starter who understands the mechanics behind payroll, not simply how to enter information into a system. The right person is comfortable with complex pay calculations, regular rate of pay, state-specific final pay rules, multi-state payroll taxes, and varying state requirements; takes ownership of researching discrepancies rather than passing them along; and knows when an issue should be escalated. They should also enjoy working on a collaborative team and adapt well as our processes, systems, and priorities evolve.

Requirements

• 4+ years of progressive, hands-on payroll experience in a multi-state environment, including at least 2 years of direct California payroll processing.
• Strong working knowledge of state wage-and-hour requirements, with demonstrated experience calculating regular rate of pay and processing final checks across multiple states.
• Experience working with overtime, double time, premium pay, additional earnings, deductions, and payroll corrections.
• Working knowledge of pre-tax and post-tax deductions, plus a basic understanding of retirement plan deductions and contributions, payroll taxation, and how leave types affect payroll.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, filtering, sorting, and working with payroll datasets.
• Experience working within an HRIS and/or payroll platform.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to research discrepancies and spot when something does not look correct.
• Ability to manage firm payroll deadlines and competing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality with employee, payroll, compensation, and benefits information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Rippling Payroll and/or Rippling HRIS (highly preferred).
• Experience in a rapidly growing, multi-location organization.
• Experience supporting payroll audits and reconciliations.
• Experience with hourly populations and multiple compensation structures.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end payroll processing for employees across multiple states.
• Review payroll data for accuracy, including regular hours, overtime, double time, bonuses, commissions, premiums, shift or class-based compensation, deductions, reimbursements, and other earnings, identifying potential errors or compliance concerns before payroll is finalized.
• Calculate regular rate of pay and apply it to overtime and other premium pay calculations.
• Review timekeeping records and work with managers to resolve missing punches, discrepancies, and payroll exceptions.
• Process payroll-related employee changes provided by Human Resources, including compensation changes, transfers, job changes, tax elections, and direct deposit updates.
• Set up and maintain state tax withholding for new hires, relocations, and employees working across state lines.
• Process final checks in accordance with each state’s final pay timing requirements, along with off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, corrections, retroactive adjustments, and other special transactions.
• Research payroll discrepancies and employee concerns through resolution, escalating complex matters or compliance concerns to the Payroll & Benefits Manager when appropriate.
• Respond to employee and manager payroll questions in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and supporting documentation, and assist with routine payroll audits and data validation.
• Maintain and apply working knowledge of payroll and wage-and-hour requirements across the states where we operate, including California, such as: Daily and weekly overtime and double time rules, Regular rate of pay, Meal and rest period premiums, Final pay timing and calculation requirements, Paid sick leave, Vacation/PTO treatment, Wage statement requirements, State-specific payroll deductions and other jurisdictional considerations.
• Apply established company policies and compliance guidance accurately during payroll processing.
• Recognize how payroll requirements differ by jurisdiction and maintain a working knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax concepts.
• Understand how benefit elections flow through payroll, including pre-tax and post-tax deductions and their impact on taxable wages.
• Understand basic retirement plan payroll deductions, including employee deferrals and employer contributions.
• Provide backup support for routine benefits administration and benefits-related payroll questions under the direction of the Payroll & Benefits Manager, including during high-volume periods such as open enrollment.
• Access benefit carrier systems to review coverage or enrollment information, escalating discrepancies to the Payroll & Benefits Manager for resolution.
• Understand common employee leave types and recognize when leaves, status changes, or terminations have payroll implications or require additional review or escalation.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure payroll-impacting employee changes are reflected accurately and on time.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision kick in the first of the month after you're hired, including plan options with $0 deductibles. We offer both Anthem & Kaiser plan options!
• Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, supporting long-term financial security.
• Paid Time off, including vacation and sick time, to support rest, recovery and work-life balance.
• Monthly communication allowance.
• Free, confidential counseling and wellness resources for you and your household through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Our Nava Benefits App puts your plan info and live advocates in your pocket, 24/7.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed