
Payroll Specialist
Robert Half Finance & Accounting
San Francisco, CAJobSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Job overview
The Payroll Specialist manages accurate and timely payroll operations for a mid-sized California workforce. The role handles end-to-end payroll activities, maintains compliance, resolves payroll issues, and supports employees. It also prepares payroll reports, maintains records, administers garnishments, and works with cross-functional teams and field locations to support payroll operations.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Description
We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to manage accurate and timely payroll operations for a mid-sized workforce in California. This role is ideal for someone who is organized and confident handling end-to-end payroll activities in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will help maintain compliance, resolve payroll issues, and support employees with care.
Responsibilities:
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Process bi-weekly payroll, including payroll adjustments, deductions, direct deposits, PTO approvals, W-4 updates, meal break waivers, and manual checks.
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Prepare and submit union benefit payments and maintain accurate payroll records.
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Review, organize, and validate labor reports and payroll documentation to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
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Administer wage garnishments and employee payroll-related communications with government agencies.
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Develop, implement, and maintain payroll audit procedures to ensure data accuracy and compliance.
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Generate payroll reports for Accounting, department leaders, and external stakeholders.
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Analyze, investigate, and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee payroll inquiries.
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Identify and implement process improvements to enhance payroll efficiency and accuracy.
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Maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee and payroll information.
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams and field locations to support payroll operations and business objectives.
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Support company policies, compliance requirements, and training initiatives.
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Assist with special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned by management.
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Represent the company professionally and support organizational and marketing initiatives.
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Work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, changing environment while maintaining strong attendance and reliability.
Requirements
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3-5+ years of payroll and/or accounting experience.
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Experience processing payroll using in-house payroll systems; ADP experience preferred.
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Strong report writing and data analysis skills.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
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Knowledge of payroll practices, compensation programs, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
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Understanding of financial reporting and basic financial analysis.
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Ability to manage, analyze, and maintain large volumes of payroll and employee data.
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality.
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.
Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
Robert Half will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .
How this job compares
Set against the 603 open Payroll Specialist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.
- Pay
- This postingNot listed
- US median$65–90K/yr81 salary ranges
- US median$27–32/hr159 hourly ranges
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 53 open Payroll Specialist jobs in California and 603 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- Robert Half Accountemps15 open
- H&R Block4 open
- Robert Half Finance & Accounting (this employer)4 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 3 years of experience; Payroll Specialist postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years at the median (422 postings).
- Education
- 34 of the 603 open Payroll Specialist jobs (6%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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