Payroll Specialist

Description We are looking for a Payroll Specialist to join a contract assignment supporting a high-volume employee services environment in San Francisco, California. This role will focus on reviewing payroll records, investigating payroll-related inquiries, and helping reduce a significant backlog of open cases with accuracy and urgency. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll knowledge, sharp auditing skills, and the ability to work through detailed issues while maintaining compliance and data integrity.

Responsibilities:

• Review payroll records in detail to confirm accuracy and identify discrepancies that may affect employee pay or tax reporting.
• Investigate and resolve payroll-related service tickets, prioritizing open issues efficiently within a high-volume support setting.
• Examine wage and tax data to help ensure W-2 information is complete, accurate, and compliant with reporting requirements.
• Partner with payroll and benefits team members to address employee inquiries and bring complex cases to resolution.
• Audit payroll transactions and supporting documentation using strong accounting-based review practices.
• Track trends across open cases and flag recurring payroll concerns that require deeper analysis or corrective action.
• Use ticketing platforms such as Zendesk to manage case updates, document findings, and maintain clear resolution notes.
• Support payroll operations connected to Employee Central and Workforce processes as needed to help close outstanding requests. Requirements
• Payroll experience with a solid understanding of pay processing, deductions, taxes, and year-end reporting.
• Ability to audit payroll data with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Accounting background or demonstrated experience reviewing financial or payroll records.
• Experience resolving payroll inquiries in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Familiarity with ticket management systems, including Zendesk or similar case-tracking platforms.
• Working knowledge of W-2 validation and payroll compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/mobile-app) and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more. Robert Half will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available including medical, vision, dental, life and disability insurance. Employees hired for our FTEP Program are also eligible to enroll in our company's 401(k) or deferred compensation plan (if eligible). FTEP employees also earn paid time off for vacation, personal needs, and sick time and paid holidays. The amount of Choice Time Off (CTO) received varies based on years of service and is pro-rated based on the hours worked per week. A new FTEP employee earns up to 13 days of CTO and up to 10 paid holidays per calendar year. Learn more at roberthalfbenefits.com/Resources. © 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking "," you're agreeing to Robert Half's Terms of Use (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/terms) and Privacy Notice (https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/privacy) .