Payroll Specialist

UNIS; Buena Park (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNIS is seeking a Payroll Specialist in California to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing. You will manage payroll transactions, review time data, maintain HRIS records, and resolve routine issues.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years of payroll experience, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with major payroll platforms. This on-site role requires attention to detail and the ability to prioritise multiple deadlines.

Qualifications

• Two+ years of payroll processing in a corporate HRIS environment.
• Experience managing timekeeping data and payroll transactions.
• Knowledge of payroll taxes, withholding rules, and garnishments.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll transactions including imports, rate changes, deductions, and updates.
• Review timekeeping reports and resolve discrepancies before payroll close.
• Perform pre-payroll audits of gross pay, taxes, and deductions.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and identify process improvements.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping

HRIS

Excel

Prioritization

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business/HR

Tools

UKG

ADP

Paylocity

Ceridian

Job description

Overview

UNIS is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. This role ensures employees are paid correctly each cycle by managing payroll transactions, reviewing timekeeping data, maintaining HRIS records, and resolving routine payroll issues.

Overview

UNIS is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. This role ensures employees are paid correctly each cycle by managing payroll transactions, reviewing timekeeping data, maintaining HRIS records, and resolving routine payroll issues.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll transactions, including time imports, pay-rate changes, deductions, new hires, terminations, and direct-deposit updates.
• Review timekeeping reports and resolve missing punches, overtime discrepancies, and approval gaps before payroll close.
• Perform pre-payroll audits of gross pay, taxes, benefits deductions, and garnishments.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and audit-ready employee payroll records and transaction documentation.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and elevate complex issues while identifying process‑improvement opportunities.

Minimum Requirements

• Two or more years of payroll processing experience in a corporate HRIS environment.
• Experience managing timekeeping data, payroll transactions, and employee pay records.
• Working knowledge of payroll tax withholding, FLSA overtime rules, deductions, and garnishments.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities accurately within strict payroll deadlines.

Preferred Requirements

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience with UKG, ADP, Paylocity, Ceridian, or similar payroll platforms.
• Experience supporting multi‑state payroll processing.
• Familiarity with payroll tax filing preparation and year‑end W‑2 reconciliation.
• Knowledge of payroll documentation standards, data privacy, and internal controls.