Payroll Specialist (Contract)

Vaco by Highspring; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco Los Angeles, in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA, seeks a Payroll Specialist for a hybrid, temporary-to-hire role. You will manage weekly/biweekly multi-state payroll, maintain timekeeping records, ensure compliance, and support cross-functional HR/Accounting teams.

The ideal candidate has experience with multi-state payroll, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in Excel, with the ability to work independently while collaborating with others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
• Experience with multiple payroll systems.
• Hands-on experience processing multi-state payroll.
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and state/federal tax regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration and processing of weekly/biweekly multi-state payroll.
• Maintain accurate employee timekeeping records (hours, deductions, withholdings).
• Enter payroll data and verify for accuracy prior to payments.
• Update tax statuses and withholding information as needed.
• Initiate direct deposits and update banking information.
• Respond to payroll questions and escalate to HR Manager as needed.
• Maintain compliant payroll policies and procedures.
• Ensure payroll processing follows federal and state regulations.
• Process and administer incentive compensation and equity-based payments.
• Collaborate with Accounting and other departments to optimize payroll operations.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies timely.

Skills

Multi-state payroll

Microsoft Excel

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Multiple payroll systems

Job description

Vaco Los Angeles is partnering with a growing organization in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA that is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join their team on a temp to hire basis. This position will be responsible for accurately processing payroll, maintaining employee timekeeping records, and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal payroll laws.

The ideal candidate will have experience with multi-state payroll, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with HR and Accounting.

Position Details

• Title: Payroll Specialist
• Schedule: Hybrid
• Employment Type: Temporary
• Pay Rate: Up to $40/hour

Vaco Los Angeles is partnering with a growing organization in Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA that is seeking a detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to join their team on a temp to hire basis. This position will be responsible for accurately processing payroll, maintaining employee timekeeping records, and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal payroll laws.

The ideal candidate will have experience with multi-state payroll, strong attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with HR and Accounting.

Position Details

• Title: Payroll Specialist
• Location: Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA
• Schedule: Hybrid
• Employment Type: Temporary
• Pay Rate: Up to $40/hour

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration and processing of weekly and/or biweekly multi-state payroll
• Maintain accurate employee timekeeping records, including hours worked, deductions, and withholdings
• Enter payroll data into the appropriate payroll system and verify all information for accuracy prior to processing payments
• Update employee tax statuses and withholding information as needed
• Initiate direct deposits and update employee banking information to ensure accurate and timely payments
• Respond to employee payroll questions, concerns, and complaints and communicate issues to the HR Manager as appropriate
• Maintain compliant payroll policies and procedures
• Ensure payroll processing follows applicable federal and state regulations
• Process and administer incentive compensation and equity-based payments
• Partner with Accounting and other departments to ensure accurate and efficient payroll operations
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies in a timely manner

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or a related field preferred, but not required
• Previous experience working with multiple payroll systems
• Hands‑on experience processing multi‑state payroll
• Strong knowledge of payroll compliance and state/federal tax regulations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).