Senior Payroll Analyst | Compliance, Multi-State & Systems

El Pollo Loco; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with match

Paid Vacation & Holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

El Pollo Loco is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across states. This role partners with People Services, Legal, Accounting, and IT to resolve complex issues and drive process improvements.

The ideal candidate has extensive payroll experience, excels in CA payroll regulations, and can support quarterly and year-end activities such as W-2 processing. The position emphasizes system enhancements and audits.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables and lookups.
• Certified Payroll Professional preferred.
• Experience with enterprise level systems such as Dayforce.

Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly multi-state payrolls accurately and timely.
• Audit payroll transactions to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review and validate earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, bonuses, and final pay calculations.
• Coordinate garnishments and respond to inquiries.
• Monitor withholding limits and maintain garnishment records.

Skills

Advanced payroll knowledge

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Influence without authority

Education

5–7 years payroll experience

Minimum 3 years supporting enterprise payroll systems

High School Diploma/GED

Certified Payroll Professional preferred

Tools

Excel

Dayforce

Job description

El Pollo Loco is seeking a Senior Payroll Analyst to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing across states. This role partners with People Services, Legal, Accounting, and IT to resolve complex issues and drive process improvements.

The ideal candidate has extensive payroll experience, excels in CA payroll regulations, and can support quarterly and year-end activities such as W-2 processing. The position emphasizes system enhancements and audits.