California Payroll Specialist — Multi-State Expert

EmergencyMD; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

EmergencyMD in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our onsite team. You will manage payroll for roughly 450 employees across multiple states with a strong emphasis on California compliance.

This role requires thorough knowledge of CA wage and hour laws, federal and state regulations, and proficiency with ADP Workforce Now. Excellent Excel skills and data reconciliation are essential to ensure accurate, on-time payroll.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of payroll processing experience for multi-state employers.
• Strong knowledge of California wage and hour laws.
• Experience processing payroll for 300+ employees.
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now.
• Strong Excel skills including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and data reconciliation.
• High accuracy and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Discretion with confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for approximately 450 employees across multiple states (exempt and non-exempt).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, with particular expertise in California wage and hour laws (overtime, meal & rest premiums, split shift pay, reporting time pay, final pay requirements, etc.).
• Review and reconcile timekeeping data, ensuring accuracy before each payroll run.
• Process off-cycle payroll runs, manual checks, and termination pay in accordance with applicable state deadlines.
• Administer garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other payroll deductions accurately and on time.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California Labor Code requirements including PAGA exposure, itemized wage statement requirements (CA Labor Code 226), and pay stub accuracy.
• Manage payroll tax filings and registrations across multiple states.
• Ensure compliance with CA pay frequency rules, final pay laws, PTO payout requirements, and sick leave accruals.
• Support multi-state new hire reporting and unemployment insurance filings.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, employee pay data, and payroll history in HRIS/payroll system.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate year-end payroll processes including W-2 preparation and distribution.
• Support internal and external payroll audits, General Liability Insurance audits, and Workers Compensation Insurance audits.
• Maintain and optimize payroll system configurations to align with company policies and compliance requirements.
• Identify and recommend improvements to payroll processes and internal controls; collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

California wage and hour laws

Excel data reconciliation

Data accuracy

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Job description

EmergencyMD in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join our onsite team. You will manage payroll for roughly 450 employees across multiple states with a strong emphasis on California compliance.

This role requires thorough knowledge of CA wage and hour laws, federal and state regulations, and proficiency with ADP Workforce Now. Excellent Excel skills and data reconciliation are essential to ensure accurate, on-time payroll.