Payroll and Accounting Specialist

Location:

Watsonville, CA (Onsite)

Employment Type:

Contract (4-5 months) with potential for extension based on business needs

Pay Rate:

$25.94 - $31.53 per hour Job Summary Express Employment Professionals is seeking a Payroll & Accounting Specialist for a contract assignment supporting a local organization's Finance Department. This role is primarily responsible for full-cycle payroll processing while also supporting general accounting functions including general ledger entries, reconciliations, and month-end close activities. This is a great opportunity for a detail-oriented accounting professional who enjoys both payroll and accounting responsibilities in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities Process biweekly payroll accurately and on schedule Review and verify employee timesheets, accruals, sick leave, and benefit deductions Process payroll adjustments, retroactive payments, and termination payouts Assist with general ledger journal entries Support month-end and year-end close processes Perform bank and balance sheet reconciliations Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processing Support revenue and expense variance analysis Ensure payroll and financial data accuracy and compliance with applicable policies and regulations Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee and financial information Provide backup support across Finance Department functions as needed Qualifications High School Diploma or GED required Minimum 2 years of full-cycle payroll and/or accounting experience Strong understanding of payroll processing and accounting principles Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook Experience with payroll systems (Paylocity or similar preferred) Experience with accounting software (MIP or similar preferred) Strong attention to detail and ability to meet strict deadlines Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities Healthcare or nonprofit experience is a plus Schedule & Employment Details Full-time, 40 hours per week Contract assignment: 4-5 months Extension possible depending on business needs and performance Onsite role in Watsonville CA Why Work Through Express? Weekly pay Dedicated recruiter support throughout assignment Opportunity to gain experience in both payroll and accounting functions Potential for assignment extension or future opportunities

Pay:

$26.26 - $31.63 per hour

Work Location:

In person