Payroll Specialist - Hybrid Remote

ZipRecruiter; Temecula (CA); Remote; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a highly skilled Payroll Specialist to join their team. This part-time role, which may transition to full-time, offers the opportunity to manage payroll for a diverse range of clients across California and other states. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with California payroll laws and multi-state processing, ensuring compliance and accuracy in all payroll operations. With a focus on exceptional customer service and attention to detail, this role allows you to make a significant impact on clients' HR processes. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about HR, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of California wage and hour laws is essential.
• Experience managing complex payrolls for businesses of 5-200 employees.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills required.

Responsibilities

• Process end-to-end payroll for California clients and occasional multi-state payroll.
• Ensure compliance with payroll laws and perform regular audits.
• Provide exceptional customer service for payroll inquiries.

Skills

California wage and hour laws

multi-state payroll processing

customer service

attention to detail

proactive communication

HR practices

problem-solving

data analysis

Spanish language skills

Education

5+ years of California payroll processing experience

3+ years of multi-state payroll processing

Payroll certifications (FPC, CPP)

Tools

ADP

Gusto

iSolved

Quickbooks

Job description

Job Description

About Us

At CA HR/Nationwide HR Services, Inc., we are more than just an HR consulting and outsourcing firm—we are trusted partners, advocates, and champions for small businesses. We believe that every business, no matter the size, deserves expert HR support to thrive, grow, and take care of its people.

From our local communities to businesses across the United States and 15 different countries, we help organizations navigate the complexities of HR with warmth, expertise, and a personal touch. Whether we’re guiding a startup through its first hires or supporting a long-established company in creating a people-first culture, we take pride in making a real impact—one business at a time.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced CA and Multi-State Payroll Specialist to join our growing team. This position is primarily remote but may require attendance at client sites or meetings occasionally. It is a part-time role that could become full-time depending on the candidate's HR expertise.

The ideal candidate will possess expert knowledge of California wage and hour laws, multi-state payroll processing, and have a proven track record of managing complex payrolls for businesses ranging from 5 to 200 employees, including both exempt and non-exempt employees.

The Payroll Specialist must be capable of setting up payroll operations for new companies across multiple states, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Essential qualities include excellent customer service, meticulous attention to detail, proactive communication skills, an interest in broader HR practices, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accurately process end-to-end payroll for primarily California clients, with occasional multi-state payroll using platforms such as ADP, Gusto, iSolved, Quickbooks, and others.
• Ensure payroll compliance with federal, state (especially California), and local laws.
• Be well-versed in meal and rest break laws, paid sick leave laws, wage statement/paystub rules, and related regulations.
• Perform regular audits to prevent issues related to Class Actions and PAGA, and communicate findings effectively to CA HR and client management teams.
• Maintain updated knowledge of California labor laws and apply them proactively in payroll processing.
• Manage garnishments, benefits deductions, and other voluntary/involuntary deductions accurately.
• Audit payroll reports and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Provide exceptional customer service by responding quickly and professionally to payroll inquiries.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all employee and client information.
• Assist clients with payroll onboarding, offboarding, PTO tracking, and employee classification.
• Collaborate with HR consultants to align payroll with broader HR and compliance initiatives.
• Stay current with evolving employment and payroll regulations across multiple states.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of California payroll processing experience and 3+ years of multi-state payroll processing, with significant expertise in California wage and hour law.
• Experience supporting companies of varying sizes (5–200 employees).
• Proficiency with payroll platforms such as ADP Workforce Now, Gusto, iSolved, and familiarity with other systems is a plus.
• Payroll certifications (e.g., FPC, CPP) are a plus but not required.
• Strong knowledge of California labor laws and HR fundamentals; experience with other states is a plus.
• Ability to occasionally travel locally for client meetings or team gatherings.
• Fully functional private home office setup.
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of managing multiple projects independently, meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Professional, humble, proactive, honest, respectful, and customer-focused; calm under pressure and adaptable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships.
• High integrity, exercising discretion and sound judgment with confidential information.
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, with the ability to anticipate client needs and explain solutions clearly.
• Highly responsive, committed to responding within two hours, and skilled in time management.
• Spanish language skills (speaking and writing) are a plus.