Payroll Manager

GHJ Search and Staffing serves as the recruitment division of GHJ, a prominent national accounting and advisory firm. Our team provides qualified Accounting and Finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis across a broad range of industries. GHJ’s relationship with our Global Advisory and Accounting Network provides the resources needed to better understand client’s needs, attract a higher caliber of candidates and assess candidate potential.

We are partnering with a growing organization in Los Angeles seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee and manage payroll operations. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing, maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and supporting payroll-related initiatives across the organization.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented payroll professional with strong leadership skills, extensive knowledge of payroll regulations, and experience managing high-volume payroll operations. This individual will serve as a key resource for employees, management, and cross-functional teams on payroll matters.

Manage and oversee the end-to-end payroll process for multi-state employee populations

Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing in compliance with applicable laws and company policies

Maintain payroll records and ensure the integrity of employee payroll data

Review payroll reports, reconciliations, and audits to identify and resolve discrepancies

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations

Manage payroll-related filings, tax payments, and year-end reporting activities, including W-2 preparation

Partner with Human Resources, Accounting, and Finance to support employee onboarding, terminations, benefits deductions, and compensation changes

Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, taxes, and earnings statements

Develop, document, and improve payroll processes and internal controls

Support payroll system implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives

Lead, mentor, and develop payroll team members as applicable

Assist with internal and external audit requests related to payroll

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred

5+ years of progressive payroll experience, including leadership responsibilities

Experience managing multi-state payroll operations

Strong knowledge of federal and state payroll laws, tax regulations, and wage and hour requirements

Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, UKG, Workday, Paycom, Ceridian, or similar platforms

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation preferred but not required