Payroll & Accounting Manager

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Payroll & Accounting Manager to lead payroll operations and support essential accounting activities in La Crescenta, California. This onsite position will play a central role in ensuring accurate semi-monthly payroll for a large, multi-location workforce while maintaining compliance with California labor requirements and payroll tax obligations. The role also contributes to month-end accounting, financial recordkeeping, and cross-functional coordination with HR, operations, and leadership.

Responsibilities:
• Direct semi-monthly payroll processing for a workforce of more than 600 employees across multiple locations, ensuring every pay cycle is completed accurately and on schedule.
• Monitor payroll practices for compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, with particular attention to California wage and hour standards, sick leave rules, deductions, and garnishments.
• Investigate and resolve payroll variances by completing adjustments, correcting discrepancies, and administering final pay in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Manage quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including tax filings, reporting obligations, and W-2 preparation.
• Partner with HR and operations teams to apply employee updates such as hires, terminations, leave activity, and status changes to payroll records.
• Support the accounting function through journal entry preparation, account reconciliations, and participation in month-end close activities.
• Contribute to oversight of accounts payable and accounts receivable processes while helping maintain complete and accurate financial records.
• Assist with audit readiness, financial reporting, and coordination with outside accountants, auditors, and banking partners.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to payroll and accounting support staff, helping track priorities, maintain deadlines, and strengthen internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll and accounting procedures, including effective use of systems such as ADP Workforce Now and related accounting platforms.• At least 5 years of combined payroll and accounting experience, including responsibility for high-volume payroll processing.
• Strong working knowledge of California payroll compliance, wage and hour requirements, payroll taxes, and multi-location payroll administration.
• Experience preparing payroll audits, reconciliations, and year-end reporting with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
• Background using ADP Workforce Now or a comparable payroll system in a complex operating environment.
• Hands-on accounting experience that includes month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliations, and audit support.
• Proficiency with accounting software such as Sage, QuickBooks, or similar platforms, along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills including formulas, VLOOKUP, and pivot tables.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to manage deadlines independently.
• Effective communication and leadership skills; Spanish language ability is a plus.