[Hiring] Payroll Analyst @Pacific Specialty Insurance Company

Role Description

The Payroll Analyst is responsible for supporting and processing payroll operations while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This position analyzes payroll data, audits payroll transactions, resolves payroll discrepancies, and partners with Human Resources, Finance, and management to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing. The Payroll Analyst serves as a key resource for payroll reporting, system maintenance, compliance requirements, and employee payroll inquiries.

Candidates must be able to work Pacific or Mountain Time business hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Process bi-weekly and off-cycle payrolls, final paychecks, retroactive adjustments, and special payments as needed.
• Process and audit payroll transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Review employee timekeeping, earnings, deductions, taxes, and benefit deductions for accuracy.
• Analyze payroll data and identify discrepancies, trends, and process improvement opportunities.
• Prepare and reconcile payroll reports, general ledger entries, and payroll-related account reconciliations.
• Research and resolve payroll issues, including tax withholdings, garnishments, benefit deductions, and wage calculations.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure compliance with record retention requirements.
• Support payroll audits, including internal, external, and regulatory audits.
• Manage payroll tax reporting and assist with year-end processing activities, including W-2 preparation and reconciliation.
• Respond to unemployment claims, employment verification requests, and payroll inquiries.
• Assist with leave administration impacts on payroll, including workers’ compensation, disability, and leave of absence payments.
• Support payroll system testing, upgrades, implementations, and process improvements.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, documentation, and internal controls.
• Generate and distribute payroll reports for management and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of payroll processing and payroll analysis experience.
• Experience with CA payroll processing is a must.
• Experience with multi-state payroll processing preferred.
• Experience with payroll systems such as ADP, UKG, Workday, Ceridian Dayforce, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll tax requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict payroll deadlines.

Requirements

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification preferred.
• Experience with payroll system implementations or upgrades preferred.
• Experience with payroll reporting preferred.

Benefits

• Protection plans for medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement.
• 401k plan with a company match of 60% of your qualified salary deferral contribution.
• Competitive compensation based on experience; this is a non-exempt hourly position.