About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Accounting & Finance.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is hiring a Payroll Specialist to support day-to-day payroll operations for a defined employee population. This is an early-career to mid-level role focused on accurate payroll processing, compliance, recordkeeping, and employee support.

• Assist with processing bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payroll under the guidance of senior payroll staff
• Enter and verify payroll data: new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions
• Review timekeeping records and follow up with managers or employees to resolve discrepancies
• Support off-cycle payroll runs, manual checks, and payroll adjustments as needed
• Maintain organized payroll records in accordance with policy and regulatory requirements
• Assist with tax remittances and year-end payroll activities (W-2 preparation, distribution, reconciliation)
• Run standard payroll reports and help reconcile payroll accounts and general ledger entries
• Support audits by compiling requested payroll data and assisting with reconciliations
• Respond to routine employee payroll inquiries professionally and escalate complex issues
• Work with HR, Benefits, and Finance to ensure employee data accuracy and support onboarding tasks
• Participate in payroll system testing and continuous process improvement initiatives

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Qualifications

Required

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field — OR equivalent work experience
• 1–3 years payroll, accounting, or HR administrative experience (internship or co-op experience considered)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive payroll data with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (basic formulas, data entry, formatting) and comfort learning payroll systems
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; professional interaction with employees at all levels
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet recurring deadlines, and maintain accurate records

Preferred

• Experience with payroll platforms (ADP Workforce Now, Workday, Ceridian Dayforce, Paychex, etc.)
• Familiarity with federal and state payroll tax regulations
• Experience with HRIS and timekeeping systems
• Interest in payroll certifications such as FPC or CPP
• Prior exposure to multi-state payroll processing

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Core Competencies & Working Style

• Eagerness to learn: receptive to feedback and proactive about professional development
• Integrity & confidentiality: handles compensation data with professionalism
• Teamwork: collaborates effectively across payroll, HR, and finance teams
• Time management: prioritizes to meet regular payroll deadlines and ad-hoc requests
• Problem solving: identifies discrepancies and seeks appropriate guidance to resolve issues

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Compensation & Benefits

Estimated pay range: $42,038 - $66,447 per year (provided by the client). Actual pay will depend on experience, skills, and other factors.
Additional compensation: annual or quarterly bonus may apply for some roles; shift premiums where applicable.
Benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending/HSA options, life insurance, disability benefits, paid time off and holidays (benefit eligibility may vary by role). Benefits typically begin on the 1st of the month following hire for eligible positions.

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Location & Employment Type

• Location: Santa Ana, CA (on-site; some roles may require presence at client facilities)
• Employment type: Full-time or Contractor (role may be listed under either type depending on assignment)
• Export / security notice: Some positions may require compliance with export control or facility access rules (e.g., ITAR/EAR). Where regulated access applies, the client may require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency for certain roles. This requirement is based on federal law and program needs.

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About the Employer

This opportunity is posted by Careertakes on behalf of a Confidential Client operating in the Accounting & Finance industry. Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform facilitating the hiring process.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.