Divisional Payroll Specialist for Nonprofit with UKG

The Salvation Army Southern California; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army Southern California is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage the accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for diverse divisions and grant-funded operations. You will work with HR, Finance, and program leaders to ensure proper employee setup, earnings allocations, and compliance with policies.

Knowledge of California wage laws and UKG is essential. This role supports month-end and year-end payroll activities, audits, and continual process improvement across multiple sites,

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• 2–4 years of payroll processing experience; nonprofit or multi-site experience preferred.
• Experience with 200+ employees; California payroll knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly payroll for all divisional employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies.
• Review and audit timesheets, earnings codes, and pay adjustments for accuracy, including overtime, holiday pay, retro pay.
• Coordinate with HR on new hires, terminations, status changes, and employee data updates to ensure proper payroll processing.
• Maintain accurate payroll records, including employee earnings, deductions, benefits, and tax withholdings.
• Ensure proper allocation of payroll expenses across Corps, programs, and grant funding sources in accordance with funding requirements.
• Process manual checks, off-cycle payrolls, and retroactive adjustments as needed.
• Assist with benefits deductions, including health premiums, FSA, retirement contributions (403b), and other voluntary deductions.
• Reconcile payroll reports and general ledger postings in coordination with the Finance Department.
• Support month-end and year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state (California), and local wage and hour laws, including minimum wage requirements and exempt/non-exempt classifications.
• Respond to employee and management payroll inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of all employee payroll and personal information.
• Assist with internal and external audits by providing payroll documentation and reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Support implementation and maintenance of payroll systems (e.g., UKG, TSAMM integration).
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of divisional operations

Skills

Payroll processing

California wage laws

UKG HRIS

Auditing & compliance

Data accuracy

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

UKG HRIS

Job description

The Salvation Army Southern California is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage the accurate and timely bi-weekly payroll for diverse divisions and grant-funded operations. You will work with HR, Finance, and program leaders to ensure proper employee setup, earnings allocations, and compliance with policies.

Knowledge of California wage laws and UKG is essential. This role supports month-end and year-end payroll activities, audits, and continual process improvement across multiple sites,