Payroll Analyst

Payroll Analyst American Transportation - 3.9 Long Beach, CA Job Details Full-time $68,000 - $73,000 a year 16 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance 401(k) matching Paid sick time Qualifications Bachelor's degree Data management Business Administration Business Time & attendance systems Excel data analysis Full Job Description We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Payroll Analyst to oversee payroll processing, payroll reporting, and payroll-related analysis while supporting key human resources functions. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll administration, maintaining compliance with payroll laws and company policies, analyzing payroll and benefits data, and identifying opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency. The Payroll Analyst will serve as a key resource for payroll administration, reporting, audits, and workforce analytics while also supporting HR operations including benefits administration, HRIS maintenance, onboarding support, leaves administration, and compliance. The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, solutions-driven, and comfortable managing sensitive data in a fast-paced environment. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Payroll Administration Process payroll accurately and timely, ensuring employees are paid correctly based on approved pay rates, hours worked, premiums, deductions, reimbursements, and applicable wage rules. Review payroll registers, timekeeping records, and earnings data for completeness and accuracy prior to payroll submission. Maintain payroll records including tax withholdings, garnishments, levies, direct deposits, benefit deductions, and employee payroll changes. Audit payroll transactions to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, company policy, and internal controls. Coordinate payroll corrections, off-cycle payrolls, retroactive adjustments, and final pay calculations. Prepare and reconcile payroll reports for management, accounting, and regulatory agencies as required. Respond to payroll inquiries, employment verifications, garnishments/levies, and unemployment claims within one (1) business day and resolve within required deadlines. Payroll Analytics & Reporting Analyze payroll data across multiple pay groups, locations, departments, and earning codes to identify trends, anomalies, and cost drivers. Review payroll registers prior to processing to validate wage calculations, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, reimbursements, deductions, and tax withholdings. Perform variance analysis comparing current payroll to prior payroll periods; investigate significant fluctuations in gross wages, taxes, deductions, overtime, and labor distribution. Monitor overtime trends by department, location, manager, and employee; identify root causes and provide recommendations to reduce unnecessary labor costs. Prepare recurring payroll analytics reports including: Payroll variance reports Overtime and labor utilization reports Benefits deduction reconciliation reports Paid Sick Leave/Vacation accrual and usage trends Headcount and turnover reporting Workers' compensation claim trend reporting Wage increase and compensation impact reporting Audit employee pay rates, earnings codes, tax setup, benefit deductions, garnishments, and department allocations to ensure payroll accuracy and system integrity. Identify payroll discrepancies, overpayments, underpayments, duplicate payments, missed earnings, or deduction errors; research root cause and recommend corrective action. Develop payroll dashboards and KPI tracking tools to improve visibility into labor spend and payroll performance. Maintain and analyze key payroll metrics. Analyze payroll and benefit cost trends and provide recommendations for operational efficiencies, cost savings, and process improvements. Assist with implementation, testing, auditing, and optimization of payroll systems, HRIS workflows, reporting tools, and integrations. Build and maintain standardized reporting templates for payroll, compliance, audits, labor analysis, and executive review. Prepare payroll data and analytics for internal audits, workers' compensation audits, insurance audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting. Monitor compliance trends related to meal/rest break premiums, wage/hour compliance, final pay requirements, and applicable state payroll regulations. Use data to proactively identify payroll risks, compliance gaps, or operational inefficiencies and recommend practical solutions to leadership. Benefits Administration Assist with administration of employee benefits programs including enrollments, changes, qualifying life events, terminations, payroll deductions, annual open enrollment, and employee inquiries. Ensure benefit deductions are accurately reflected in payroll. Reconcile benefit invoices with payroll deductions and enrollment records. Support required benefits reporting and compliance obligations. Human Resources Support Assist with HRIS maintenance, employee data updates, onboarding processes, and HR-related technology solutions. Maintain personnel files and HRIS records in compliance with legal and company requirements. Track and process employee leaves of absence including FMLA, CFRA, disability, paid family leave, and related documentation. Track and process workers' compensation claims within required reporting deadlines. Assist in implementing HR initiatives, employee engagement efforts, and department process improvements. Compliance & Audit Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour laws, garnishment requirements, and reporting obligations. Support payroll tax filings, annual reporting, W-2 preparation, and audits. Assist with internal and external payroll audits and provide requested records/documentation. Maintain confidentiality and security of employee payroll, compensation, and benefits information. Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll, taxation, benefits, and employment practices. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered. 5+ years of payroll administration experience required; multi-state payroll experience preferred. Experience with payroll reporting, analytics, reconciliations, and payroll audits strongly preferred. Knowledge of federal and state wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, garnishments, and leave administration. Experience with HRIS, payroll systems, and timekeeping systems required. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel including formulas, pivot tables, lookups, and payroll data analysis required. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail with a high level of accuracy and confidentiality. Strong communication skills with the ability to explain payroll information clearly to employees and leadership. Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and confidential information in a fast-paced environment.

Pay:

$68,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance Application Question(s): Will you be able to reliably commute to Long Beach, CA 90805 for this job? What is the highest level of education you have completed? What is your desired income for this role? How many years of payroll processing, payroll reporting, and payroll-related analysis experience do you have? Approximately how many employees have you processed payroll for in a single payroll cycle? Describe your experience with payroll audits, reconciliations, and payroll reporting? Describe your proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, including formulas (e.g., IF statements, VLOOKUP) and pivot tables for payroll analysis and reporting? Rate your Excel proficiency (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert): Describe your experience with payroll tax filings, garnishments, and wage attachments? What payroll metrics have you analyzed? Describe your experience with creating payroll dashboards? What payroll KPIs have you developed or tracked? What type of audits have you supported?

Work Location:

In person