Payroll Specialist (Hybrid - San Diego, CA)

Our Customer is a business and financial software company that develops and sells financial, accounting, and tax preparation software and related services for small businesses, accountants, and individuals. They are laser-focused on their customers, live and breathe innovation, and champion those who dare to dream. Their Mission is powering prosperity around the world. They do it by attracting the world’s top talent, bringing vital partners into their global platform, and leaving the world a better place through exceptional corporate citizenship.

We are seeking a Payroll Specialist on a contract basis to help support our Customer's business needs. This role is hybrid in San Diego, CA.

The Payroll Specialist will assist in processing full payroll cycles for 15,000+ employees on a bi-weekly basis. This role includes auditing, compliance enforcement, handling escalations, and ensuring accuracy across HRIS and payroll systems. The position requires strong technical, analytical, and communication skills to provide exemplary payroll support in a fast-paced shared services environment.

Responsibilities:

• Process bi-weekly payroll cycles for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Handle terminations, including final pay calculations.
• Review wage calculations and audit reports, making adjustments or corrections as needed.
• Track and process leave of absence (LOA) requests to calculate supplemental pay.
• Audit Workday daily file feeds into ADP to ensure data accuracy.
• Provide Tier 2 payroll support by resolving employee service request escalations.
• Initiate stop payments and direct deposit reversals.
• Research and manage outstanding or uncashed checks and direct deposit issues.
• Enforce pay policies (e.g., holiday worked, on-call, overtime, deduction basis) to ensure compliance.
• Audit and validate inputs in the time and labor system.
• Run and review timesheet export reports from Workday to interface with ADP Payroll.
• Process overpayment calculations and collections.
• Create and maintain SOPs and job aids for payroll and timekeeping tasks.
• Respond to complex payroll inquiries from employees, managers, HRBPs, HR Connect, HR Data Services, and third-party vendors.
• Communicate effectively with various levels of management to ensure high-quality support.
• Collaborate with team members to coordinate payroll processing.

Skills and Qualifications:

• College degree preferred.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) is a plus.
• 3+ years of experience in payroll-related responsibilities.
• Ability to apply documented rules, past practices, or instructions independently.
• Experience in payroll processing within a shared services environment.
• Strong time management skills, with ability to prioritize assignments in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated confidentiality and excellent judgment in handling sensitive data.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel; skilled with other Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong organizational, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, including during times of ambiguity.

We offer a competitive salary range for this position. Most candidates who join our team are hired at the median of this range, ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Contractor benefits are available through our 3rd Party Employer of Record (Available upon completion of waiting period for eligible engagements)

Benefits: Medical, Dental, and 401k (no match)

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.