Payroll Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join our team in Santa Barbara, California on a contract basis with the potential for a permanent role. This position will manage payroll operations for a large employee population across multiple states, ensuring accurate and timely processing while maintaining compliance with applicable regulations. The ideal candidate brings strong hands-on experience with end-to-end payroll administration and is comfortable working with systems such as ADP Workforce Now and Paylocity.

Responsibilities:
• Manage complete payroll processing from time collection through final distribution for a workforce of more than 500 employees.
• Review employee timesheets for accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and ensure payroll data is approved within established deadlines.
• Administer multi-state payroll activities while applying appropriate wage and hour rules, tax requirements, and other regulatory standards.
• Maintain payroll records, deductions, garnishments, and related updates in payroll systems with a high level of accuracy.
• Use ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, and other payroll applications to process recurring bi-monthly payroll cycles efficiently.
• Calculate earnings, adjustments, taxes, and withholdings and verify that all payroll transactions are properly recorded.
• Respond to payroll-related questions from employees and internal partners with clear, timely, and effective communication.
• Support payroll-related system or process updates as needed while helping maintain continuity and compliance in daily operations.• Proven experience handling full cycle payroll for a large employee population, including organizations with over 500 employees.
• Demonstrated knowledge of multi-state payroll administration, payroll tax practices, and applicable payroll laws.
• Hands-on proficiency with ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, and other payroll software platforms.
• Strong ability to review timesheets, identify errors, and process payroll with a high degree of accuracy.
• Experience managing bi-monthly payroll schedules and meeting strict processing deadlines.
• Solid understanding of payroll functions such as deductions, adjustments, tax withholdings, and record maintenance.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage confidential information responsibly.