Payroll Specialist

Job Description

We are recruiting an experienced Payroll Specialist to support our Sacramento-based client, a dynamic and growing organization that values accuracy, integrity, and strong cross-departmental collaboration. This role is ideal for a seasoned payroll professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and brings deep expertise in multi-state payroll, manual timesheets, and regulatory compliance.

The Payroll Specialist will perform payroll, accounting, and administrative functions to support multiple departments, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. Responsibilities include processing timekeeping data, calculating wages and deductions, maintaining payroll records, and upholding full compliance with federal and state regulations. This position requires exceptional attention to detail, strong confidentiality, and the ability to research and resolve payroll discrepancies while supporting both internal and external audits.

• Salary $80,000-$85,000/ year (DOE)
• Role: Direct Hire | 100% onsite

Key Responsibilities

• Process biweekly multi-state payroll by collecting, verifying, and entering manual and electronic timecards into ADP Workforce Now, ensuring accuracy in regular, overtime, holiday, PTO, and prevailing wage calculations.

• Maintain full compliance with federal, state, and California wage-and-hour rules, including meal penalties, garnishments (FTB/IRS/child support), and quarterly Multiple Worksite Reports.
• Reconcile ADP payroll reports, research and resolve discrepancies, and provide timely support for employee payroll inquiries.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready payroll records while supporting internal and external payroll audits.
• Collaborate with HR and Accounting to process payroll actions for new hires, status changes, and terminations, ensuring accurate data flow across systems.
• Generate accurate payroll reports, track accruals, and uphold strict confidentiality while managing sensitive employee information.

Knowledge & Skills

• 5-7 years of hands-on payroll processing experience, including manual timesheets and multi-state environments.

• Proficient in ADP Workforce Now , with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Solid math, bookkeeping, and basic accounting skills to support accurate wage and deduction calculations.
• Demonstrated expertise in state and federal prevailing wage requirements and compliance.
• Exceptional attention to detail, confidentiality, organization, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work flexible or extended hours in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.