Payroll Specialist

Vaco Recruiter Services; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco Recruiter Services is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support a 3-6 month contract assignment in Irvine, CA. The role requires strong multi-state payroll processing experience and the ability to step in with minimal training in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will process high-volume payroll, ensure regulatory compliance, handle changes for new hires and terminations, and collaborate with HR, Benefits, and Accounting to maintain accurate records.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience.
• Strong multi-state payroll expertise, including California.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now, UKG, Dayforce, Workday or Paylocity.

Responsibilities

• Process high-volume, multi-state payroll accurately and on schedule
• Review payroll data including earnings, deductions, taxes, bonuses, commissions, and garnishments
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Process new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, and employee status updates
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries
• Manage wage garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other deductions
• Reconcile payroll reports and support month-end and quarter-end close processes
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and year-end activities, including W-2 processing
• Generate payroll reports and analyze payroll data for accuracy
• Partner with HR, Benefits, and Accounting teams to ensure seamless payroll operations
• Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation

Skills

Payroll processing

Multi-state payroll

High-volume processing

Regulatory compliance

Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP)

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

UKG

Dayforce

Workday

Paylocity

Job description

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist to support payroll operations during a 3-6 month contract assignment. This role is ideal for a payroll professional with strong multi-state payroll processing experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can quickly step in to manage payroll activities with minimal training.

Responsibilities

• Process high-volume, multi-state payroll accurately and on schedule
• Review payroll data including earnings, deductions, taxes, bonuses, commissions, and garnishments
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations
• Process new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, and employee status updates
• Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries
• Manage wage garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other deductions
• Reconcile payroll reports and support month-end and quarter-end close processes
• Assist with payroll tax reporting and year-end activities, including W-2 processing
• Generate payroll reports and analyze payroll data for accuracy
• Partner with HR, Benefits, and Accounting teams to ensure seamless payroll operations
• Maintain accurate payroll records and documentation

Qualifications

• 3+ years of payroll processing experience
• Strong experience processing multi-state payroll
• Experience supporting payroll in a high-volume environment
• Knowledge of federal and state payroll laws, including California payroll regulations
• Experience with payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now, UKG, Dayforce, Workday, Paylocity, or similar platforms
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and reporting
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines
• Excellent customer service and communication skills

The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.