Payroll Specialist

SAN-Diego-Center-For-Childre; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Insurance

403(b) Employer Match Up To 3%

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement or Assistance

Job summary

The San Diego Center for Children is seeking a Payroll Specialist to manage end-to-end payroll activities, ensure compliance with federal, state, and California wage laws, and partner with HR and Finance on deductions and reporting.

You will handle bi-weekly payroll, complex items, and audit processes, while contributing to system optimization and ongoing learning opportunities within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Strong knowledge of CA Labor and Hour Laws and Payroll Tax Regulations.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office; ability to analyze data and identify discrepancies.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and meet strict deadlines.
• Must pass an extensive background check.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and California labor laws for payroll processing.
• Process bi-weekly payroll including retroactive pay, leave tracking, and deductions.
• Audit payroll transactions and resolve discrepancies with HR/Finance.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure accurate data and timely payroll.
• Assist with year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and distribution.

Skills

CA payroll laws knowledge

Payroll tax regulations knowledge

Analytical data analysis

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Equivalent experience

Tools

Paycom Payroll

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?Join us - and work with purpose!POSITION BENEFITSTeam-Oriented, Multidisciplinary ApproachOngoing, High-Level Learning and Development OpportunitiesCulturally Diverse EnvironmentJoint Commission Accredited OrganizationComprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)Wellness ProgramsEAP - Employee Assistance ProgramTuition Reimbursement or Assistance For Continuing EducationEmployee DiscountsEmployee Recognition ProgramOpportunities For Career AdvancementMay Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved PopulationsSUMMARYThe Payroll Specialist is responsible for performing all aspects of payroll, including implementing, maintaining, and fully understanding the payroll processing system, interfacing with timekeeping software, and working with our HRIS system provider to troubleshoot any system errors. Additionally, the Payroll Specialist handles processing, reconciling, and auditing of employee benefits.This role serves as a subject matter expert in payroll processing, compliance, reconciliation, and system optimization. In addition to processing payroll, this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and California labor and hour laws; assisting with payroll audits; improving payroll processes; and providing data analysis and reporting. The Payroll Specialist partners closely with HR and Finance to ensure accurate payroll processing, proper benefit deductions, and alignment with organizational policies and funding requirements.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESServe as resource for payroll processing, ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and California labor laws, including wage/hour requirements and Wage Order 5Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of bi-weekly payroll, including complex items such as retro pay, leave tracking, benefit deductions, and final paychecksInterface with all departments to ensure employee data accuracy, including compensation, benefits, and status changes impacting payrollProvide guidance and assist managers and staff on payroll processes, timekeeping, and compliance requirementsIdentify and collaborate around process improvements to enhance payroll accuracy, compliance, and efficiencyMonitor and strengthen internal controls related to payroll processing and reportingComplete payroll processing activities, including reviewing timecards, validating adjustments, and submitting payroll accurately and on timeAudit payroll transactions and employee status changes to ensure data integrityResearch complex payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries for team reviewTimely process benefit payments and deductions (medical, dental, 403(b), life insurance, etc.)Ensure compliance with garnishments, withholdings, and tax reporting requirementsLead reconciliation of benefit invoices with payroll records to ensure accurate deductionsCollaborate on year-end payroll processes, including W-2 preparation and distributionMaintain accurate Workers’ Compensation codes and support annual audit processOther Duties & Responsibilities:Supports as necessary with assigned HR related duties, especially when team members are outAssist with annual audit by gathering and maintaining necessary documentation and by preparing supporting schedules, confirmations, etc. as related to job requirementsAnalyzes data obtained for evidence of deficiencies in controls, duplication of effort, extravagance, fraud, or lack of compliance with laws, government regulations, and management policies or procedures.Other duties as assignedOn The Job Mandatory Ongoing Trainings:Complete and stay up-to-date with all mandatory trainings as specified by the San Diego Center for Children, including but not limited to: Emergency Management Plan, False Claims, Code of Conduct NIAC Professional Boundaries Privacy & Security (HIPAA), Infection Prevention & Control Plan (IPCP), and Sexual Harassment-SupervisorsAll other trainings as assigned.LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read and interpret documents such as payroll regulations, medical and other employee insurance materials, safety rules, instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from employees, supervisors, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management and employee groups.MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to accurately calculate figures and amounts. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as overtime trends, comparison to budgets, variances over time, etc. Ability to apply concepts such as percentage of time worked in multiple departments, Full Time Equivalents (FTE), pay differentials, etc.REASONING ABILITYAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving fiscal data bases, accounting, payroll, and billing. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions.PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally life up to 15 pounds when necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to focus.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment is in an office environment with low to moderate noise level. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.DIVERSITY STATEMENTThe San Diego Center for Children is committed to:Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization,Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect,Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:Valid California Driver’s LicenseBachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Related Field or Equivalent ExperienceStrong knowledge of CA Labor and Hour Laws and Payroll Tax RegulationsIntermediate to advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft OfficeAbility to Analyze Data and Identify DiscrepanciesHighly Organized, Detail-Oriented, and able to Manage Competing PrioritiesStrong Oral and Written Communication SkillsAbility to Work Independently, Exercise Sound Judgment, and Recommend SolutionsStrong Sense of Urgency and Ability to Meet Strict DeadlinesMust Pass an Extensive Background CheckPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Extensive experience working with Paycom Payroll and/or comparable HRIS systemsMinimum two years of experience in Non-Profit, Healthcare or Social Service IndustryStrong working knowledge of Wage Order 5 provisions and nuances