Senior Specialist, Payroll

Senior Specialist, Payroll

GHJ is looking for a Senior Specialist, Payroll. This role is responsible for accurate, timely and compliant execution of GHJ's payroll operations. Reporting to the Manager, People Operations & Total Rewards, this role owns the day-to-day payroll processing and serves as GHJ's subject matter expert for Dayforce Payroll and payroll tax administration.

GHJ utilizes Dayforce as its HRIS and payroll platform and partners with PuzzleHR for managed payroll services. This role requires someone with a strong grasp of the processes, controls and systems knowledge needed to accurately and effectively process payroll.

This role requires someone who understands payroll beyond the mechanics of processing a payroll cycle. The Senior Specialist will be expected to identify and resolve discrepancies, understand how Dayforce configuration impacts payroll and taxation, navigate multi-state payroll requirements and partner with People, Finance, Dayforce and other external partners to resolve complex payroll issues.

You will be responsible for:

• Partner with PuzzleHR to execute accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payrolls for ~300 employees and weekly payrolls for ~10 people via Dayforce Payroll.
• Manage the full payroll cycle, including pre-processing audits, payroll calculations, preview review, reconciliation, final submission and post-payroll validation.
• Review and validate timekeeping, time-off, earnings, deductions and employee payroll data prior to payroll processing.
• Process employee pay changes, bonuses, commissions, retroactive pay, supplemental payments, deductions, and other payroll adjustments.
• Calculate and process separation pay and off-cycle payments accurately and in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.
• Maintain employee payroll records, including pay changes, deductions, and direct deposit updates.
• Manage employee PTO/FTO and sick time balances and resolve discrepancies affecting payroll.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries, identifying root causes and implementing appropriate corrections.
• Maintain payroll calendars, procedures, controls and documentation to support consistent and accurate payroll processing.
• Annual compensation market analysis and review, including managing and updating internal compensation structure.
• Manage compensation portion of annual and mid-year performance process.

Vendor Oversight

• Serve as a primary point of contact with PuzzleHR and Dayforce Payroll developing a strong understanding of systems configuration, payroll calculations, taxation and related workflows.
• Troubleshoot payroll issues and partner directly with PuzzleHR and Dayforce support to resolve system or configuration-related problems.
• Partner with Dayforce Tax and PuzzleHR to review and validate employee federal, state, and local tax setup and investigate discrepancies.
• Review and reconcile quarterly and annual payroll tax filings and year-end reporting, including W-2's and other required payroll reporting.
• Support testing and validation of Dayforce configuration changes, releases and enhancements that impact payroll or payroll taxation.
• Maintain current knowledge of Dayforce Payroll functionality and identify opportunities to improve the firms use of the system.

Compliance Oversight

• Maintain working knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and hour and payroll tax requirements applicable to GHJ's workforce.
• Monitor payroll practices and associated documentation for compliance and escalate potential risks or issues as appropriate.
• In conjunction with PuzzleHR administer garnishments, levies and other legally required payroll deductions.
• Support annual workers compensation audits and other payroll and compensation related regulatory requirements.

Reporting and Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner closely with Finance to reconcile payroll registers, payroll funding and payroll related general ledger information.
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc payroll reports and analyze data to identify discrepancies, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with People Operations and Total Rewards to ensure employee changes and benefits deductions are accurately reflected in payroll.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen payroll processes, controls and system utilization and implement improvements in partnership with the Manager, People Operations & Total Rewards.

What we need from you:

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to independently reconcile payroll data, identify discrepancies and follow issues through resolution.
• Strong payroll judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate unfamiliar issues and determine an appropriate path forward.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and remain steady during time-sensitive payroll cycles.
• Clear and approachable communication skills, including the ability to explain payroll and tax- related topics to employees.
• High level of discretion when handling confidential employee, payroll and compensation information.
• Ability to build effective partnerships across People, Finance and external service providers.
• A process-oriented mindset with an interest in improving controls, documentation and system utilization.
• A strong service orientation and commitment to providing employees with accurate and reliable payroll experience.
• Curiosity and persistence when navigating unfamiliar or complex payroll issues, with a willingness to ask questions, research problems and own them through resolution.

What skills & experience you'll bring to us:

• 3-5 years of progressive payroll experience (minimum 1-2 years of Dayforce experience), including hands-on responsibility for independently processing payroll; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end payroll processing, including calculations, reconciliations, corrections and post-payroll validation.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll in Dayforce is required; experience with Dayforce Payroll configuration and Dayforce Tax strongly preferred.
• Experience administering payroll for employees across multiple states and working with federal, state and local payroll tax requirements.
• Working knowledge of wage and hour requirements, payroll taxation, garnishments, supplemental wages and year-end payroll reporting.
• Experience researching and resolving payroll tax notices and discrepancies.
• Experience with quarterly and year-end payroll processes, including reconciliation and Forms W-2.
• Experience partnering with Finance on payroll reconciliation and payroll-related general ledger reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to identify root causes rather than relying solely on vendor escalation.
• Experience developing payroll procedures, controls and scalable processes.
• Experience working with third-party payroll or tax vendors while maintaining internal ownership and accountability for payroll outcomes.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills.

Seven decades, overriding focus: our people and our clients.

GHJ was founded in 1953, making us one of the oldest independent firms in the Los Angeles area. Ranked as a top 20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal's Book of Lists, the firm has 24 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. Our firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN). Collaboration and maintaining strong relationships are the cornerstones of our success.

We are also an independent member of HLB International, a worldwide organization of over 250 member professional accounting firms and business advisors. This affiliation gives us access to the subject matter experts of other member firms and provides consulting and professional services in over 158 countries through its nearly 800 offices worldwide.

GHJ complies with all local/state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, ranges, applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications (e.g. JD, technology), for example. At GHJ, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $85,000 - $95,000.

Equal Employment Opportunity

GHJ is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran