Payroll Specialist

LHH is partnering with a mission-driven, nonprofit organization is seeking a Payroll Accountant / Payroll Analyst to support a high-volume payroll function during a period of team transition and restructuring.

This role blends payroll processing, accounting support, and administrative coordination, and requires strong critical thinking, attention to detail, and ownership of the full payroll cycle.

This position is ideal for someone who brings both payroll expertise and a solid accounting foundation, with the ability to identify issues, escalate appropriately, and improve processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage bi-weekly payroll processing for approximately 300 employees using Paylocity

• Monitor and follow up on timecard submissions and approvals across departments

• Review payroll data for accuracy including earnings, deductions, and benefits

• Process payroll-related transactions including benefits deductions, workers’ compensation, and reimbursements

• Serve as a key reviewer for expense reimbursements, ensuring compliance with internal policies

• Identify discrepancies or unusual items and proactively flag issues to leadership

• Support payroll-related general ledger processes, including preparing and reviewing payroll journal entries

• Extract payroll reports and assist with data preparation for accounting and contract billing teams

• Assist with benefits-related payroll coordination, including payroll-side validation of enrollments and deductions

• Partner cross-functionally with HR on payroll inputs and employee changes

• Support audit and reporting needs by gathering payroll documentation and reports

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in payroll, with strong preference for candidates with accounting background

• Experience using payroll systems (Paylocity strongly preferred)

• Working knowledge of payroll tax regulations and compliance, particularly in California

• Strong understanding of general ledger concepts and accounting fundamentals

• Proven ability to manage high-volume payroll cycles with accuracy and timeliness

• Advanced Excel skills (e.g., lookups, data analysis, reporting)

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment

• Excellent communication skills with a proactive, customer-service mindset

Preferred Background:

• Experience in nonprofit, government-funded, or multi-entity environments

• Exposure to allocations, grants, or contract-related payroll reporting

• Experience with complex chart of accounts structures or multi-dimensional coding

Employment type:

• Contract

If interested in this position apply today and send your resume to View email address on click.appcast.io

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits, and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria.