Accounting/Finance Specialist (Payroll)

Salary : $93,576.24 - $119,570.04 Annually
Location : West Hollywood City Hall - 8300 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Job Type: Full-time Regular Status
Job Number: 26-50601-04
Department: Finance & Technology
Division: FIN - Accounting
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: WEHOME

JOB SUMMARY
What You'll Contribute

The City of West Hollywood seeks an Accounting/Finance Specialist (Payroll) to support the City's payroll operations. In this role, you will be responsible for processing biweekly payroll, including entering and reviewing timecard data, leaves, and benefit information; auditing payroll data for accuracy; applying MOU and employment contract provisions; preparing payroll closing activities; assisting with CalPERS, IRS, and other payroll audits; and supporting additional payroll compliance activities to ensure the City's payroll is accurate, timely, and fully aligned with regulatory requirements.
Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing employee timecards and processing bi-weekly payroll.
• Reconciling payroll accounts, preparing journal entries, and assisting with payroll reporting.
• Reconciling benefits deductions and processing payments to benefit providers.
• Providing support to employees and supervisors regarding payroll matters, deadlines, and corrections.
• Maintaining confidential payroll files, schedules, and databases.
• Assisting with year-end payroll processes and audit requests.
• Preparing reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence.
• Supporting additional functions within the General Accounting Division as needed.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a strong background in payroll and benefit administration; municipal or similar experience is highly preferred.
• Understand employee benefits administration, including health plan deductions, benefit reconciliations, and CalPERS retirement processing and reporting.
• Be able to interpret and apply labor contracts, administrative rules and regulations, and relevant state and federal laws.
• Have experience using financial, payroll, and timekeeping software; experience with Tyler Eden and Tyler ERP is a plus.
• Be detail-oriented, accurate, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Provide excellent customer service, work collaboratively, and communicate City policies with courtesy.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and professionalism.
• Be flexible and willing to support other finance areas as needed.

For full position details, please click the job description:

This position is eligible to work remotely for up to 50% of its time, subject to approval and based on the ongoing operational needs of the City.

Reports to: Accounting Manager
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; and,
• Three to four years of progressively responsible related experience; or,
• Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Retirement
The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The retirement formula will be based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS, e.g. 2% @ 62 for New Members (average of three highest years) or 2.7% @ 55 for Classic Members (single highest year) with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. New Member employees are responsible for paying the employee contribution of one-half of the total normal cost of the plan (currently at 7.25%), as defined by CalPERS, through a payroll deduction. Classic Members are responsible for paying the employee contribution of 8% through a payroll deduction. The City does not participate in Social Security.

• $150.00 per month 457 deferred compensation contribution paid by the City (employer contribution). Employee can also make employee contributions toward the same plan. Annual limited is dictated by the IRS.
• $100.00 per month Retiree Health Savings (RHS) account contribution paid by the City (employer contribution).

Health Benefits

• The City covers the full health insurance premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee and eligible dependents, including children under the age of 26 (effective the 1st of the month following hire date).

Leaves

• Vacation Leave:
  • 80 hours - less than one year of service;
  • 120 hours - 2nd through 5th years of service;
  • 140 hours - 6th through 9th years of service;
  • 160 hours - after 10 years of service.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours per year.
• Personal Leave: 36 hours per year (prorated by quarter).
• 11 City paid holidays.

Other Benefits

• 5/40, 9/80 & 4/10 work schedule (depends on department/division's operational needs)
• Telework availability ranging from 0%-50% for telework-eligible positions, subject to approval and based on ongoing operational needs of the City.
• Technology stipend ($75.00 per month) for telework-eligible positions.
• LA County MTA E-Pass issued to all WEHOME employees.
• Life insurance equal to 1.5 times your annual salary, plus $20,000, to a maximum of $120,000.
• Disability Insurance: 66 2/3% of salary to cap of $3,077 per week, after a 29-day waiting period for short-term disability.
• Optional Benefits: AFLAC, Supplemental Life Insurance, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Flexible Benefit Plan (FSA) for medical reimbursement and dependent care assistance and cash out of accrued Vacation and Administrative Leaves (if applicable).
• Tuition reimbursement at 100% of the fee schedule for the University of California (UC Tuition Resident fee) for job-related courses pre-approved by the Department Director (up to $15,588 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027) and Required Textbook reimbursement (up to $2,500 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027).

01

The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used in determining your qualifications. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. The hiring department will review each answer to evaluate your qualifications. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may negatively impact your eligibility for this part of the examination process. Responses with more than 250 words are ideal for essay questions.
Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of West Hollywood.

By continuing in the recruitment process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. If you are selected to continue in the recruitment process, your qualifications may be evaluated through employment verification, reference checks, and written, skill assessment, and oral examinations.
Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College Coursework
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Juris Doctor (JD)
• Doctorate (PhD)
• Not Applicable

03

Please list any specialized certifications you have related to accounting, payroll, and/or human resources. If none, please enter 'N/A'.
04

How many years of payroll-related experience do you have?

• I do not have any experience in payroll
• Less than one year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 9 - 10 years
• More than 10 years

05

Do you have experience working in a government, public agency, or municipal environment?

• Yes
• No
• Not yet, but I have equivalent experience in a regulated or unionized environment.

06

Which of the following automated payroll and timekeeping systems do you have experience using?

• Tyler Eden
• Tyler ERP
• Tyler Time and Attendance
• UKG
• WhenToWork
• Other (Please include the name(s) in your response to question 7 below)
• None

07

Please describe in detail your experience with each of the payroll functions listed below. For each function, include: (1) the agency/organization at which the experience was gained, (2) the number of employees supported, and (3) the payroll/timekeeping software used. If you do not have experience in a particular area, enter 'N/A' next to the corresponding letter.
(a) Processing timecards and reviewing timekeeping accuracy
(b) Reconciling benefit deductions and processing benefit payments
(c) Interpreting and applying labor contracts, MOUs, or pay rules
Required Question