PAYROLL SPECIALIST

City of Commerce; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Commerce is seeking a payroll paraprofessional to support bi-weekly payroll processing, taxes, and related accounting activities under general supervision.

The role requires an associate degree with accounting/public admin emphasis and at least two years payroll experience in a municipal setting; a California driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or 60 semester/90 quarter units with emphasis in accounting, business or public administration, finance or related field.
• Two years of payroll experience in a municipal setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide responsible technical assistance in the administration and implementation of the City's payroll function; reconcile and monitor payroll account.
• Download electronic timesheets; review for accuracy and approvals; prepare and process payroll including taxes, deductions and benefits.
• Maintain and process special payroll functions such as buy-backs, retirement reports, and special checks.
• Coordinate payroll activities with operating departments; answer technical questions from departments regarding reporting documentation.
• Reconcile payroll accounts in the general ledger; provide accounting, administrative and technical support to the finance operations.

Skills

Payroll processing

Accounting

Municipal government experience

Education

Associate's degree or 60 sem/90 quat units in accounting, business or public administration, finance or related field

Job description

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, provides journey level paraprofessional and technical duties in support of payroll and related accounting activities; prepare and process the bi-weekly payroll and related taxes; to perform responsible accounting, administrative and technical duties for City payroll; and to perform routine financial analysis.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provide responsible technical assistance in the administration and implementation of the City's payroll function; reconcile and monitor payroll account.
• Download electronic timesheets; review for accuracy and approvals; prepare and process payroll including taxes, deductions and benefits; perform quarterly and year-end payroll functions; answer questions regarding deductions.
• Maintain and process special payroll functions such as buy-backs, retirement reports, and special checks.
• Assist in the maintenance of accounting and payroll systems and procedures; coordinates and tests implementation of changes in legislation, tax tables and other payroll related changes; prepare weekly, monthly and annual reports; maintain and update personnel records.
• Coordinate payroll activities with operating departments; answer technical questions from departments regarding reporting documentation.
• Reconcile payroll accounts in the general ledger; provide accounting, administrative and technical support to the finance operations.
• Provide technical and administrative support of Finance staff.
• Research, compile and prepare payroll, accounting and administrative documents.
• Provide legally required tax, compensation, benefit and audit reporting to State and other agencies.
• Complete special projects related to payroll.
• May assign, review and train clerical staff; trains payroll backup.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Associate's degree, or completion of 60 semester/90 quarter units, from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in accounting, business or public administration, finance or a closely related field.

AND

Two years of payroll experience in a municipal setting.

Special Requirements

Required Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess a valid California driver's license and safe driving record.

Benefit Summary For City Of Commerce Full-Time Employees

The following information is a brief description of benefits available for full-time employees.

Health Benefits

City paid Medical up to a cap of the monthly premium for employees and eligible dependents. Employees may choose from the following insurance plans:

• Blue Shield Access +
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Anthem Select HMO
• Anthem Traditional HMO
• Kaiser of California
• Health Net Smart Care
• Health Net Salud y Mas
• UnitedHealthcare Signature Value Alliance
• UnitedHealthcare Signature Value EPO Harmony
• PERS Platinum
• PERS Gold

Vision Coverage Provided by VSP (Vision Service Provider)

The City pays 100% of the monthly premium for employees and eligible dependents. This benefit includes one eye exam, one pair of lenses and a one-year supply of contact lenses per year.

Dental Coverage Provided by UMR

The City pays 100% of the monthly premium for employees and eligible dependents. The maximum benefit per calendar year per covered person is $2,000. The lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic expenses per covered person is $3,000.

Life Insurance

Every full-time employee is provided Term life insurance equal to his/her annual salary with a maximum of $150,000.

Short-Term Disability Standard Insurance

Full-time employees must be employed a minimum of 30 days prior to receiving short-term disability benefits. There is a 29-day waiting eligibility period, and the maximum allotted time period is 180 days.

Long-Term Disability Standard Insurance

Coverage begins when an employee’s disability period exceeds the 180th day timeline under short-term disability. The maximum allotted time period is determined by age when the disability begins.

Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Retirement Benefit

Effective July 1, 2025, NEW CalPERS employee members will commence paying an employee contribution of 9%. A new employee who is not a member of CalPERS or is a former CalPERS member who has been out of CalPERS for six (6) months or more will be eligible to enroll in the City's 2% @ 62 Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Effective July 1, 2014 "Classic" CalPERS employee members will be eligible to enroll in the City's 2% @ 55 CalPERS Retirement formula and will contribute a 7% employee contribution towards CalPERS Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

See the CalPers Retirement Plan booklet or visit their website for more detailed and valuable plan information, including a retirement benefit calculator.

Deferred Compensation

The City contributes $25 per pay period and shall match an employee’s deferred compensation in an amount not to exceed 3% of the employee’s gross salary contribution per pay period.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The City pays 100% of the monthly premium for employees and eligible household members. Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling [phone]. This free and confidential brief counseling and referral service is designed to help employees and their household members resolve personal matters that may impact their work or home life.

Easy Eight Trip Reduction Program

Employees are eligible to participate in the Easy Eight Trip Reduction Program. Employees who carpool eight (8) days in a month are eligible to receive $25 per month for ridesharing / carpooling.

Additional Benefits

• 12 paid annual holidays
• Colonial and Aflac insurance: This is available to employees at employee cost
• City offers Pre-Tax flexible spending accounts, up to a maximum of $3,200 each per year
• Credit Union: City employees are eligible to join the F&A Federal Credit Union
• Flexible work schedules
• Generous vacation, sick leave and bereavement leave
• City participates in Social Security