About the Payroll Specialist Role at Robert Half

Are you a detail-oriented professional who thrives at the intersection of people, precision, and timing? Robert Half is proud to partner with a dynamic multi-location hospitality group in Encinitas, California, to find an exceptional Payroll Specialist. This critical role ensures seamless payroll operations for a diverse workforce of hourly, tipped, and salaried employees across bustling hospitality venues. If you have a passion for accuracy, compliance, and supporting team members with their pay-related needs, this position offers the perfect blend of challenge and impact in a fast-paced environment.

In this Payroll Specialist position, you'll handle sensitive employee data with the utmost confidentiality, process clean and timely payroll runs, and serve as a trusted resource for pay inquiries. Working closely with HR and operations teams, you'll contribute to the smooth rhythm of business in the hospitality sector, where every shift, tip, and overtime hour counts. Encinitas, known for its vibrant coastal community and thriving tourism industry, provides an ideal backdrop for this role, combining professional growth with Southern California's unbeatable lifestyle.

Why This Role Stands Out

This isn't just payroll processing—it's about being the backbone of employee satisfaction in hospitality. With weekly and bi-weekly cycles, you'll master the nuances of tipped income reporting, shift differentials, and overtime calculations unique to restaurants, hotels, and event spaces. Compliance with stringent California wage and hour laws adds a layer of expertise that sets top Payroll Specialists apart. Join Robert Half's network of elite finance and accounting professionals and elevate your career in a role that's both rewarding and recession-resistant.

Key Responsibilities

As a Payroll Specialist, your days will be filled with high-impact tasks that keep the payroll engine running smoothly:

• Process weekly and bi-weekly payroll for hundreds of employees, ensuring accuracy for hourly workers, tipped staff, and salaried managers.
• Review and verify timecards, calculating overtime, tips, and shift differentials with precision to avoid discrepancies.
• Ensure full compliance with California-specific wage and hour laws, including meal and rest break reporting.
• Maintain comprehensive records for deductions, garnishments, benefits, and tax withholdings in payroll systems.
• Handle employee inquiries professionally, resolving issues on pay stubs, direct deposits, or tax forms swiftly.
• Support audits and reporting, preparing reconciliations and documentation for internal and external reviews.
• Collaborate with HR on onboarding new hires, processing terminations, and updating status changes like promotions or leaves.

These responsibilities demand a proactive approach, as you'll often juggle multiple payroll cycles while adapting to seasonal fluctuations in hospitality staffing.

Required Qualifications

To excel as our Payroll Specialist, bring the following expertise:

• 2+ years of hands-on payroll experience, ideally in hospitality, retail, or multi-site operations.
• Deep knowledge of California labor laws, FLSA guidelines, and tipped employee regulations.
• Proficiency in payroll platforms like ADP Workforce Now, Paychex, UKG, or Ceridian.
• Exceptional attention to detail and mathematical accuracy under deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills for clear communication with employees and managers.
• Experience managing garnishments, 401(k) deductions, and multi-state tax filings (California focus).
• High school diploma required; associate's or bachelor's in accounting/HR preferred.
• Familiarity with audit processes and SOX compliance is a plus.

Candidates with CPP or FPC certification will receive priority consideration. If you're tech-savvy, adaptable, and passionate about payroll accuracy, apply today through Robert Half.

Why Join Us?

Partnering with Robert Half means access to top-tier opportunities in Encinitas, CA, and beyond. Enjoy a competitive hourly rate of $28, with full-time potential offering benefits like health insurance, 401(k) matching, PTO, and professional development. Our client’s hospitality group is expanding, providing clear paths for advancement into senior payroll or HR roles. Thrive in Encinitas' sunny beaches, surf culture, and entrepreneurial vibe while building a stable career. Robert Half supports your success with expert recruiters, resume optimization, and interview coaching. Don't miss this chance to make payroll your superpower—apply now and let's connect!

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