Payroll Manager

Matura Farrington; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Matura Farrington in Los Angeles is seeking a Payroll Manager to lead end-to-end payroll across multiple states, partnering with Finance, Accounting, HR and leadership. This hands‑on role requires deep payroll technical knowledge, strong accounting, and a commitment to accurate, timely service, with supervision of a Payroll Analyst.

The ideal candidate has at least five years of progressively responsible payroll experience, proven ADP Workforce Now expertise, and the ability to manage complex

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible payroll experience.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll tax, wage‑and‑hour, withholding, and compliance.
• Experience supervising payroll professionals and coordinating with cross‑functional teams.
• Extensive hands‑on ADP Workforce Now knowledge for processing, reporting and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end‑to‑end payroll processing across multiple states, including biweekly and monthly cycles.
• Supervise a Payroll Analyst, provide coaching and ensure data accuracy and timeliness.
• Reconcile payroll with the general ledger and support financial reporting and audits.
• Administer payroll systems, compliance, retirement plan reporting, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, HR and leadership on reporting and cost controls.

Skills

Payroll leadership

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Excel

Job description

A Payroll Manager is needed to oversee end-to-end payroll operations for a reputable law firm in Los Angeles. This hands‑on leadership position will manage complex multi‑state payroll administration while partnering closely with Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and organizational leadership. The position requires a payroll professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong accounting knowledge, sound judgment, and a commitment to accurate and timely service.

The Payroll Manager will take ownership of recurring and special payrolls, payroll systems, reconciliations, compliance, retirement plan support, reporting, and process improvement while supervising a Payroll Analyst. The ideal candidate brings at least five years of progressively responsible payroll experience and extensive hands‑on knowledge of ADP Workforce Now.

Payroll Manager Responsibilities

Multi-State Payroll Administration

• Manage end-to-end payroll processing, including biweekly and monthly payrolls, partner distributions, bonuses, off‑cycle payments, and final pay calculations.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on schedule while complying with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Administer payroll across multiple states and account for varying tax, wage‑and‑hour, withholding, and final pay requirements.
• Review and audit payroll data, employee records, year‑to‑date balances, tax withholdings, deductions, and adjustments.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies, system issues, and complex employee‑specific payroll matters.
• Manage non‑routine compensation payments and other specialized payroll transactions requiring independent analysis.
• Maintain payroll schedules, garnishments, deductions, and related payroll records.
• Supervise and support a Payroll Analyst, including workload coordination, quality control, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Establish appropriate cross‑training and procedures to support payroll continuity.

ADP Workforce Now & Payroll Systems

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for ADP Workforce Now and related payroll processes.
• Maintain payroll and employee information within applicable HR and payroll systems.
• Monitor data integrity and troubleshoot issues affecting payroll records or processing.
• Manage payroll setup, testing, and configuration associated with organizational changes, new entities, company codes, and other expansion initiatives.
• Monitor payroll integrations and data feeds to ensure accurate information is transferred between systems.
• Identify automation opportunities and process enhancements that improve payroll accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, process documentation, and desk manuals.
• Support payroll technology enhancements, implementations, upgrades, and other system‑related initiatives.

Payroll Accounting, Reporting & Reconciliations

• Reconcile payroll activity to the general ledger and collaborate with Accounting to maintain accurate financial reporting.
• Maintain and validate payroll earnings, deductions, taxes, benefits, and distribution codes and their associated general ledger mappings.
• Review payroll‑related journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between payroll and accounting records.
• Prepare recurring payroll, management, compliance, and ad hoc reports.
• Analyze payroll information and trends and provide meaningful insights to Finance leadership.
• Coordinate payroll‑related funding and wire transfer requirements with appropriate accounting teams.
• Support month‑end and year‑end close processes by ensuring payroll transactions are properly recorded and reconciled.
• Maintain payroll‑related internal controls and support audit and accounting requirements.
• Partner with Finance, Accounting, and Human Resources teams on reporting improvements and process efficiencies.

Payroll Compliance & Retirement Plans

• Process and reconcile 401(k) contributions and associated payroll reporting.
• Coordinate with retirement plan administrators regarding payroll and contribution information.
• Support annual retirement plan testing and compliance activities.
• Prepare and validate payroll and compensation data used for annual census and compliance reporting.
• Assist with employer contribution and profit‑sharing calculations and funding activities.
• Manage payroll components of year‑end compliance processes and ensure required information is accurate and complete.
• Support year‑end payroll activities, including W-2 review and distribution.
• Compile payroll information needed to support K-1 reporting.
• Maintain annual payroll configurations related to tax changes, retirement plan contribution limits, and other regulatory updates.
• Prepare and support applicable regulatory reporting, including ACA, EEO, and other government filings.
• Support payroll‑related audits and respond to information requests as needed.

Employee & Leadership Support

• Serve as a primary resource for payroll questions from attorneys, employees, and organizational leadership.
• Research payroll inquiries and provide accurate, timely resolutions.
• Process income and employment verification requests.
• Maintain strict confidentiality when handling payroll, compensation, benefits, and personnel information.
• Provide a high level of service while balancing employee needs with payroll policies and compliance requirements.

Payroll Manager Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible payroll experience within a mid‑sized or large organization.
• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll tax, wage‑and‑hour, withholding, deduction, garnishment, and compliance requirements.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with ADP Workforce Now, including payroll processing, reporting, administration, workflows, and troubleshooting.
• Strong knowledge of payroll accounting principles, general ledger mapping, and account reconciliation.
• Experience managing year‑end payroll reporting, tax filings, reconciliations, and payroll‑related audits.
• Experience with partner compensation, partner distributions, and information supporting K‑1 reporting.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or training payroll professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex payroll processes independently while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong professional judgment and ability to handle sensitive financial and personnel information confidentially.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment.

Preferred Experience

• Previous law firm or professional services payroll experience.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, Power Query, and data analysis.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation or progress toward certification.
• ADP Workforce Now certification.
• Experience leading payroll implementations, integrations, upgrades, or significant process improvement initiatives.

Compensation & Hybrid Schedule

The anticipated salary range for this Payroll Manager position is $125,000–$130,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, and other applicable factors.

This position is based in Los Angeles and offers a hybrid schedule with at least two days per week onsite.