Payroll Accountant - Temp to Perm

Southland Industries Inc.; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Annual bonus program

Life/AD&D and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Paid holidays and vacation

Professional development opportunities

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Southland Industries, a leading MEP contractor, seeks a Payroll Specialist to manage multi-state payroll with strong compliance and data accuracy. The role includes processing union payrolls, off-cycle runs, and wage adjustments while ensuring timely reporting and audits.

Ideal candidates have a bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance and 3 years of payroll experience, including multi-state and regulated wage reporting. Strong Excel and payroll software skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience.
• 3 years of payroll processing and accounting experience.
• Understanding of payroll practices, tax regulations, and wage and hour laws.
• Multi-state payroll experience required.
• Proficiency with payroll software (Coins, ADP, Dayforce, UKG).
• Coins ERP knowledge preferred.
• Basic accounting knowledge.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Accurately process multi-state and Union weekly payrolls.
• Handle off-cycle payrolls and payroll adjustments as needed.
• Process payroll for new hires, terminations, and payroll adjustments.
• Calculate and distribute bonuses, commissions, and other payments.
• Track and deduct garnishments, tax levies, and other deductions.
• Assist with reconciling payroll prior to transmission and validate reports.
• Conduct regular account reconciliations for accuracy.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies promptly.
• Prior experience with Union payrolls and Prevailing Wage reporting is a plus.

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

Union payrolls

Garnishments

Timekeeping

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Discretion with confidential info

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Coins

ADP

Dayforce

UKG

Coins ERP

Job description

Position Summary

This role requires an understanding of payroll processes, tax regulations, and exceptional organizational and time management skills. Will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely processing of the multi-state payroll for our employees.

Position Details

Payroll Processing

• Accurately process multi-state and Union weekly payrolls.
• Handle off-cycle payrolls and payroll adjustments as needed.
• Process payroll for new hires, terminations, and payroll adjustments.
• Calculate and distribute bonuses, commissions, and other special payments as needed.
• Track and deduct garnishments, tax levies, and other special payroll deductions as needed.
• Assist with reconciling payroll prior to transmission and validate reports as needed.
• Conduct regular account reconciliations for assigned area to assure accuracy of records
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and irregularities in a timely manner. Elevate more complex issues for resolution.
• Prior experience with processing Union (Collective Bargaining Agreement) payrolls, and Prevailing Wage and Certified payroll reports is a plus.

Data Management

• Maintain and update employee payroll records.
• Ensure accurate entry of working hours and wage calculations.
• Review and resolve timecard exceptions and discrepancies.

Compliance and Reporting

• Follow appropriate policies and procedures to assure that Southland maintains compliance with all state and federal laws, local payroll regulations, as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of assigned financial transactions.
• Ensure compliance and required reporting per all applicable Union Collective Bargaining agreements.
• Ensure compliance with required Prevailing wage and Certified payroll reporting.
• Track and deduct garnishments, tax levies, and other special payroll deductions as needed.
• Prepare payroll reports and summaries for management.
• Assist in responding to external/internal audits, government agency requests with relevant data.

Employee Support

• Service oriented mindset.
• Respond to internal and external customer inquiries in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Address and resolve payroll-related inquiries and concerns from employees. Assist in providing guidance on other payroll policies.
• Cross-trains in other areas to broaden knowledge of Southland accounting and financial processes and systems.

Audits and Improvements

• Assist with all External/Internal audits to ensure payroll accuracy and integrity.
• Assist in developing and implementing payroll processes and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience preferred
• 3 years of payroll processing and accounting experience
• Understanding of payroll practices, tax regulations, and wage and hour laws.
• Multi-state payroll experience required.
• Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., Coins, ADP, Dayforce, UKG or In-House/Non Outsourced processing software.)
• Coins ERP software knowledge preferred.
• Basic accounting knowledge.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, and ability to interface with all levels of employees.
• Service oriented mindset.
• Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and maintain/exercise discretion.
• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude of intermediate to advance level abilities to utilize Excel, MS Word, Power Point, etc. preferred…
• Excellent time management skills, and ability to remain flexible in a rapidly changing environment.

Benefits

As a 100% employee-owned company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for you and your family:

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation. If you want to join a fast-paced environment where you’re engaged, challenged, and valued, apply now to join our dynamic team.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pay: Final pay is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. For California this ranges from $29.00 - $33.65 an hour, plus annual incentive, benefits, and retirement program as outlined above.

Contingent Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement: Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).