Payroll Specialist I

Guidant Financial•Santa Rosa, CA

13d•$75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

The Payroll Specialist II role builds upon the foundational responsibilities of a Payroll Specialist, requiring advanced payroll expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to lead continuous improvements. The Payroll Specialist II will handle complex payroll issues, ensure compliance with updated state and federal regulations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline payroll processes. This position reports to the Director of People and provides mentorship to entry-level payroll specialists.

Requirements

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience: Minimum of 4-5 years of payroll experience, with at least 1-2 years at an advanced or specialist level.
Knowledge: In-depth understanding of California and federal payroll laws, and experience with complex payroll scenarios, including tax laws, garnishments, and benefits coordination.
Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Paylocity preferred) and strong analytical skills, with expertise in Excel and reporting tools.
Leadership Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to provide guidance and mentorship to team members and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Confidentiality: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and with integrity.

Responsibilities

Oversee and process weekly payroll for a larger and more complex workforce, including salaried, hourly, and temporary employees, and handle complex calculations for bonuses, retroactive pay, and special pay types.
Perform final checks on payroll data accuracy, reviewing for compliance with applicable labor laws.
Develop and refine payroll checklists, workflows, and documentation to standardize and improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
Ensure compliance with California and federal labor laws, keeping current with changes to wage and hour regulations, benefits, and deductions requirements.
Partner with payroll provider (Paylocity) to prepare and review quarterly and annual tax filings, as well as payroll tax reports (e.g., 941, W-2, 1099) to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Conduct payroll audits regularly and recommend corrective actions to maintain compliance.
Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll issues, responding to inquiries that require advanced payroll knowledge.
Educate employees and managers on payroll policies, new tax requirements, and benefit changes to ensure a clear understanding of processes and updates.
Lead payroll-related training sessions for new hires and ongoing employee education programs.
Act as the payroll systems expert, managing updates, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing payroll software Paylocity.
Collaborate with HR, Finance, and IT to develop and implement payroll process improvements, enhance reporting capabilities, and ensure system efficiency.
Identify and recommend payroll process improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency, such as automating manual calculations or refining reporting capabilities.
Provide guidance and mentorship to junior payroll staff, assisting with complex calculations and best practices.
Support the Director of People in developing and implementing payroll-related training and development for team members.
Contribute to cross-functional projects and initiatives, representing the payroll function and offering insights based on expertise.