Senior Payroll Analyst | Compliance, Multi-State & Systems

El Pollo Loco; Costa Mesa (CA); Hybrid; USD 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst in a hybrid California office setup. The role handles bi-weekly multi-state payrolls with accurate processing, regulatory compliance, and expert support for payroll systems and audits.

The position requires 5–7 years of payroll experience, strong CA knowledge, and advanced Excel skills. You will partner with People Services, Legal, Accounting, Field Operations, and IT to optimize processes and ensure accurate, timely payroll with an annual bonus

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 5-7 years of progressive payroll experience, multi-state.
• Advanced knowledge of California payroll laws and regs.
• Experience with large organizations (4,000+ employees) preferred.
• Proficient in Excel and payroll audits/reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly, multi-state payrolls accurately and timely.
• Audit and validate earnings, deductions, taxes, and bonuses.
• Handle off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, reversals, corrections.
• Administer wage garnishments and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Resolve payroll inquiries with employees, agencies, and stakeholders.
• Maintain expertise in multi-state payroll requirements, esp. CA.
• Support quarter- and year-end activities (W-2s, tax reconciliations).
• Perform reconciliations, variance analysis, and reporting.
• Partner with People Services, Accounting, Field Ops, IT on issues.
• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations.
• Identify automation opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Payroll knowledge

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Customer service

Confidentiality

Continuous improvement

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Certified Payroll Professional

Tools

Dayforce

Excel

Job description

Position Details:

Location: Hybrid office schedule

Pay: $35.57 - $48.08 per hour * projected annualized earnings: $73,985.00 - $100,000 + annual bonus target of 10% of base salary.

Note: this position is eligible for overtime pay

The Senior Payroll Analyst is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing while serving as a subject matter expert for payroll operations, payroll systems, and regulatory compliance. This role partners closely with People Services, Legal, Accounting, Field Operations, and IT to resolve complex payroll issues, support system enhancements, improve business processes, and drive operational excellence. The Senior Payroll Analyst serves as a technical resource for payroll-related initiatives, performs advanced payroll analysis and reconciliations, supports audits and compliance reporting, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the overall employee experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process accurate and timely bi-weekly, multi-state payrolls in compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations.


• Audit and validate payroll transactions, including earnings, deductions, taxes, bonuses, retroactive pay, final pay, and other adjustments.


• Process off-cycle payrolls, manual checks, reversals, and corrections; reconcile payroll balances prior to transmission.


• Administer wage garnishments, including child support, tax levies, creditor garnishments, bankruptcy orders, and other court-ordered deductions, ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate withholding.


• Research and resolve payroll and garnishment inquiries in partnership with employees, agencies, vendors, and internal stakeholders.


• Maintain strong knowledge of multi-state payroll requirements, with particular expertise in California payroll regulations.


• Support quarter-end and year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, tax reconciliations, audits, and regulatory reporting.


• Perform payroll reconciliations, variance analysis, and recurring and ad hoc reporting; monitor payroll trends, metrics, and areas of risk.


• Partner with People Services, Accounting, Field Operations, and IT to resolve complex payroll issues and support business needs.


• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and other payroll-related projects.


• Identify and implement opportunities to automate processes, improve payroll accuracy and efficiency, and strengthen internal controls.


• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and best practices.


• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

Education/Work Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED Required.


• 5-7 years of progressive payroll experience, including processing large, multi-state payrolls; minimum 3 years supporting enterprise payroll systems.


• Strong understanding of federal and state payroll regulations with advanced knowledge of California payroll laws.


• Experience processing payroll for organizations with 4,000+ employees preferred.


• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and reconciliation techniques.


• Experience with payroll audits and reconciliations.


• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex payroll issues and identify root causes.


• Certified Payroll Professional preferred.


• Experience with enterprise level systems (Dayforce Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced payroll knowledge


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills


• Excellent attention to detail


• Strong organizational and time management skills


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Strong customer service orientation


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and influence without direct authority


• Continuous improvement mindset