Payroll Accountant

Tammy Power, Recruiting Manager with Robert Half is looking for a Payroll Accountant to join a mission-focused organization in Kern County where accuracy, compliance, and financial stewardship are essential to supporting a broad community impact. This position plays a key role in managing payroll accounting activities across multiple entities, ensuring employees are paid correctly while payroll-related records remain balanced and audit-ready. The ideal candidate brings strong accounting knowledge, experience with multi-state payroll, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a deadline-driven environment.

For immediate consideration, contact Tammy Power via

LinkedInResponsibilities:

• Oversee payroll processing activities to help ensure employees are compensated accurately, on schedule, and in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational standards.
• Monitor updates to federal, state, and local payroll rules and apply changes as needed to maintain ongoing compliance across payroll operations.
• Complete monthly reviews of payroll-related transactions, including compensation, taxes, benefits, and other associated accounts, to confirm accuracy and resolve inconsistencies.
• Maintain and reconcile payroll balance sheet accounts, investigating discrepancies and implementing timely corrections when needed.
• Prepare payroll journal entries, accruals, and other accounting adjustments to support accurate financial reporting.
• Allocate payroll expenses across properties, programs, and entities so labor costs are assigned correctly to the appropriate funding sources.
• Work closely with human resources, property teams, and program staff to verify employee data, job classifications, and cost distributions.
• Analyze fluctuations in payroll results and present clear explanations to leadership and finance stakeholders.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, payroll tax reporting, audit support, and annual workers compensation audit preparation.
• Recommend and support improvements to payroll procedures and internal controls to strengthen efficiency and compliance.