Position Summary

The Payroll Specialist reports to the HR Manager and owns end-to-end payroll processing across salaried and hourly classifications, working closely with ADP and the firm's HRIS. The ideal candidate is detail-obsessed, thrives in a fast-paced legal environment, and can independently manage complex payroll cycles with minimal supervision.
Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing
• Process semi-monthly payroll for attorneys and non-attorneys using ADP Workforce Now and IHH
• Audit payroll registers against HR update notes prior to each payroll run, verifying new hires, terminations, rate changes, retro pay, partial pay, bonuses, and leave statuses
• Calculate and process retroactive pay for salaried employees resulting from merit increases or corrections
• Ensure accurate payroll treatment for employees on modified schedules, LOA, or immigration-tied work authorization
• Process final pay in compliance with California wage and hour law

Compensation & Data Integrity
• Maintain and audit salary data in ADP against the HR master workbook (Excel), flagging discrepancies for HR Manager review
• Administer year-end merit review cycle inputs including rate changes and effective dates
• Reconcile compensation data for promotions, reclassifications, and internal transfers
• Track and audit deductions, garnishments, and benefit contributions each pay period

Compliance & Reporting
• Ensure payroll compliance with California labor law, including meal break premiums, overtime calculations, and final pay obligations
• Support HR Manager on wage and hour audits, including meal break compliance communications
• Prepare payroll reports and summaries for leadership, finance, and benefits reconciliation
• Maintain payroll records in accordance with record retention requirements
• Assist with W-2 processing and year-end tax reconciliations

HR Operations Support
• Coordinate with HR Manager on onboarding and offboarding payroll actions
• Support benefits premium reconciliation between carrier invoices and payroll deductions
• Assist with HRIS data integrity audits (ADP vs. Active Directory vs. HR records)

Compensation: $80,000 - $110,000/per year

Requirements

Required
• 3+ years of payroll processing experience, preferably in a professional services or legal environment
• Proficiency with ADP Workforce Now (required)
• Advanced Excel skills - comfortable working in multi-tab workbooks, using formulas, and auditing data across large datasets
• Working knowledge of California wage and hour law
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy under time pressure
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple pay cycles, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously

Preferred
• Experience supporting a multi-department employer in a professional services or legal environment
• Familiarity with payroll for employees on H-1B, OPT, or other immigration-tied work authorization
• Experience with benefits deduction reconciliation
• Prior work in a law firm or legal services environment
• FPC or CPP certification a plus

Benefits

We're committed to supporting the well-being and success of our team through a robust and thoughtfully designed benefits package, including:

• 401(k) with Employer Match - Plan for your future with confidence and company support.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Comprehensive coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Short-Term, Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance - Financial protection for life's unexpected events.
• Paid Parking - Convenient and covered, so you can focus on your day.
• Generous Paid Time Off - Ample time to rest, recharge, and take care of personal matters.
• Employee Referral Program - Earn rewards for introducing talented individuals to our team.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Confidential resources for personal and professional support.
• Employee Discount Program - Access to exclusive savings on a variety of products and services.
• Coverage of bar dues and CLEs
• Ongoing professional development opportunities