Payroll Specialist

Trident Consulting is seeking a " Accounting Associate III " for one of our clients in "Aliso Viejo, CA" A global leader in business and technology services.

Job Title: Payroll Specialist
Location: Aliso Viejo, CA - Onsite
Pay Rate: $38.94/hr - $48.65/hr on w2

• Start Date: 07/13/2026
• End Date: 10/18/2026

Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support multi-state U.S. payroll operations and assist with international payroll coordination. The ideal candidate will have strong payroll processing experience, knowledge of payroll taxes and compliance regulations, and exposure to payroll accounting activities including journal entries and reconciliations.
Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing

• Process multi-state U.S. payroll using outsourced payroll systems
• Enter and verify employee personnel changes in HR/Payroll systems
• Maintain payroll earnings and deduction codes
• Review time and attendance records for non-exempt employees
• Process exempt and non-exempt payrolls according to payroll schedules
• Handle bonus payrolls and special payroll processing
• Prepare manual payroll checks when required
• Process payroll garnishments and deductions
• Upload 401(k) withholdings and support ESPP payroll activities
• Review year-end W-2 statements

Payroll Accounting & Compliance

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries
• Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts
• Support payroll tax registrations and tax notices
• Respond to payroll tax correspondence
• Coordinate SOX compliance activities related to payroll
• Assist with quarterly and annual external audit requests
• File workers' compensation reports

International Payroll Support

• Assist in coordinating payroll activities for international subsidiaries
• Support compensation and tax adjustments related to stock option exercises

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll processing experience
• Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll regulations
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing
• Exposure to general ledger and journal entries
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Familiarity with ERP and HR/Payroll systems
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information securely

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting international payroll operations
• Experience working in a public company environment
• SOX compliance and audit support experience
• Bachelor's degree preferred; High School Diploma with relevant experience accepted

Preferred Payroll Systems
Experience with one or more of the following is highly preferred:

• ADP
• Workday
• UKG
• Ceridian
• Paycom
• Other HRIS/Payroll platforms