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Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half

Robert Half

Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half

full-timePosted: Feb 4, 2026

Job Description

About the Payroll Specialist Role at Robert Half

Join Robert Half's dynamic team as a Payroll Specialist in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States. This hybrid position (2 days onsite) offers a competitive salary of $90,000 - $100,000 and is perfect for seasoned payroll professionals seeking to make a significant impact. As a key player in our expanding payroll department, you'll ensure seamless, accurate, and compliant payroll operations for a growing organization. Robert Half is a leader in financial and administrative staffing, and this role provides an exciting opportunity to leverage your expertise in payroll processing, compliance, and employee support while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

In this senior payroll role, you'll handle complex transactions, audits, and reporting, collaborating with HR, finance teams, and external agencies. With the San Francisco Bay Area's thriving tech and finance sectors, this position demands precision amid evolving regulations like California state taxes and federal mandates. If you're passionate about payroll accuracy, data integrity, and process improvement, this Payroll Specialist job at Robert Half is your next step. Enjoy hybrid flexibility, professional growth, and the prestige of working with a top-tier firm known for excellence in talent solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will focus on mission-critical payroll functions:

  • Process bi-weekly or monthly payroll cycles accurately and on time, verifying hours, deductions, and earnings for hundreds of employees while adhering to FLSA, IRS, and California labor laws.
  • Manage intricate transactions including manual checks, off-cycle pay adjustments, performance bonuses, expense reimbursements, PTO leave accruals, and court-ordered garnishments.
  • Oversee timely remittance of payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUI), 401(k) contributions, and benefits deductions to avoid penalties.
  • Perform rigorous audits, reconcile payroll general ledger accounts, balance sheets, and bank statements, and compile tax compliance schedules for quarterly/annual filings.
  • Lead year-end W-2 preparation and distribution, ensuring 100% accuracy and IRS compliance.
  • Serve as the go-to expert for employees and managers, resolving complex inquiries on pay stubs, tax withholdings, and retroactive changes.
  • Interface professionally with federal (IRS, DOL), state (EDD), and local agencies on audits, verifications, and disputes.
  • Maintain payroll systems like ADP, Workday, or UKG by configuring cost centers, earnings codes, and troubleshooting integrations.
  • Generate custom payroll reports and conduct advanced data analysis using Excel or BI tools to deliver actionable business insights.
  • Design, document, and implement payroll policies, SOPs, and SOX-compliant internal controls to enhance efficiency and mitigate risks.

Required Qualifications for Success

To thrive as our Payroll Specialist, bring:

  • 3-5+ years of hands-on payroll experience in a multi-state or high-volume environment.
  • Deep expertise in U.S. payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance (e.g., California Paid Sick Leave, AB5).
  • Proficiency in payroll/HRIS platforms (ADP WFN, Paychex, Ceridian) and Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables).
  • Exceptional accuracy, with a keen eye for detail in high-stakes financial data.
  • Strong analytical skills for reconciliations and forecasting payroll liabilities.
  • Proven ability to manage confidential employee data with utmost integrity (HIPAA/PHI awareness a plus).
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for stakeholder communication and issue resolution.
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, HR, Business, or equivalent; CPP or FPC certification highly preferred.

Candidates must pass a payroll skills assessment and background check. Experience in tech or professional services industries is ideal for this Bay Area role.

Why Join Robert Half as a Payroll Specialist?

Robert Half offers more than a job—it's a career launchpad. Benefit from our hybrid model balancing collaboration and flexibility, a salary range of $90K-$100K tailored to your expertise, and comprehensive perks including health coverage, 401(k) matching, generous PTO, and tuition reimbursement for certifications. Thrive in an inclusive culture with mentorship, team-building events, and exposure to Fortune 500 clients. In the competitive San Francisco job market, this role stands out for its stability, growth potential, and impact on business operations. Apply now to elevate your payroll career with Robert Half—where top talent meets unparalleled opportunities. Contact Christina Tran for details!

(Word count: 852)

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

90,000 - 100,000 USD / yearly

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

90,000 - 100,000 USD / yearly

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • Payroll processingintermediate
  • Payroll complianceintermediate
  • Tax reconciliationintermediate
  • W-2 preparationintermediate
  • Payroll system maintenanceintermediate
  • Data analysis and reportingintermediate
  • Garnishment handlingintermediate
  • Audit and reconciliationintermediate
  • Employee payroll supportintermediate
  • Payroll policy developmentintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • 3+ years of payroll experience (experience)
  • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations (experience)
  • Proficiency in payroll software and HRIS systems (experience)
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy (experience)
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (experience)
  • Experience with payroll audits and reconciliations (experience)
  • Ability to handle confidential information (experience)
  • Effective communication for employee and agency inquiries (experience)
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Process payroll accurately and on time, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies
  • Handle manual checks, pay adjustments, bonuses, reimbursements, leave, and garnishments
  • Ensure timely payment of payroll taxes and deductions
  • Conduct audits, reconcile payroll data, balance sheets, and prepare tax schedules
  • Assist in W-2 preparation and maintain general ledger alignment
  • Provide guidance to employees and managers on payroll issues
  • Respond to inquiries from federal, state, and local agencies
  • Maintain payroll systems, update cost centers and codes
  • Generate payroll reports and perform data analysis for insights
  • Develop and document payroll policies, procedures, and controls

Benefits

  • general: Competitive salary range of $90,000 - $100,000
  • general: Hybrid work model (2 days onsite)
  • general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • general: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • general: Paid time off and holiday schedule
  • general: Professional development opportunities
  • general: Collaborative and expanding team environment
  • general: Supportive management and career growth potential

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Robert Half logo

Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half

Robert Half

Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half

full-timePosted: Feb 4, 2026

Job Description

About the Payroll Specialist Role at Robert Half

Join Robert Half's dynamic team as a Payroll Specialist in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States. This hybrid position (2 days onsite) offers a competitive salary of $90,000 - $100,000 and is perfect for seasoned payroll professionals seeking to make a significant impact. As a key player in our expanding payroll department, you'll ensure seamless, accurate, and compliant payroll operations for a growing organization. Robert Half is a leader in financial and administrative staffing, and this role provides an exciting opportunity to leverage your expertise in payroll processing, compliance, and employee support while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

In this senior payroll role, you'll handle complex transactions, audits, and reporting, collaborating with HR, finance teams, and external agencies. With the San Francisco Bay Area's thriving tech and finance sectors, this position demands precision amid evolving regulations like California state taxes and federal mandates. If you're passionate about payroll accuracy, data integrity, and process improvement, this Payroll Specialist job at Robert Half is your next step. Enjoy hybrid flexibility, professional growth, and the prestige of working with a top-tier firm known for excellence in talent solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will focus on mission-critical payroll functions:

  • Process bi-weekly or monthly payroll cycles accurately and on time, verifying hours, deductions, and earnings for hundreds of employees while adhering to FLSA, IRS, and California labor laws.
  • Manage intricate transactions including manual checks, off-cycle pay adjustments, performance bonuses, expense reimbursements, PTO leave accruals, and court-ordered garnishments.
  • Oversee timely remittance of payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUI), 401(k) contributions, and benefits deductions to avoid penalties.
  • Perform rigorous audits, reconcile payroll general ledger accounts, balance sheets, and bank statements, and compile tax compliance schedules for quarterly/annual filings.
  • Lead year-end W-2 preparation and distribution, ensuring 100% accuracy and IRS compliance.
  • Serve as the go-to expert for employees and managers, resolving complex inquiries on pay stubs, tax withholdings, and retroactive changes.
  • Interface professionally with federal (IRS, DOL), state (EDD), and local agencies on audits, verifications, and disputes.
  • Maintain payroll systems like ADP, Workday, or UKG by configuring cost centers, earnings codes, and troubleshooting integrations.
  • Generate custom payroll reports and conduct advanced data analysis using Excel or BI tools to deliver actionable business insights.
  • Design, document, and implement payroll policies, SOPs, and SOX-compliant internal controls to enhance efficiency and mitigate risks.

Required Qualifications for Success

To thrive as our Payroll Specialist, bring:

  • 3-5+ years of hands-on payroll experience in a multi-state or high-volume environment.
  • Deep expertise in U.S. payroll laws, multi-state taxation, and compliance (e.g., California Paid Sick Leave, AB5).
  • Proficiency in payroll/HRIS platforms (ADP WFN, Paychex, Ceridian) and Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables).
  • Exceptional accuracy, with a keen eye for detail in high-stakes financial data.
  • Strong analytical skills for reconciliations and forecasting payroll liabilities.
  • Proven ability to manage confidential employee data with utmost integrity (HIPAA/PHI awareness a plus).
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for stakeholder communication and issue resolution.
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, HR, Business, or equivalent; CPP or FPC certification highly preferred.

Candidates must pass a payroll skills assessment and background check. Experience in tech or professional services industries is ideal for this Bay Area role.

Why Join Robert Half as a Payroll Specialist?

Robert Half offers more than a job—it's a career launchpad. Benefit from our hybrid model balancing collaboration and flexibility, a salary range of $90K-$100K tailored to your expertise, and comprehensive perks including health coverage, 401(k) matching, generous PTO, and tuition reimbursement for certifications. Thrive in an inclusive culture with mentorship, team-building events, and exposure to Fortune 500 clients. In the competitive San Francisco job market, this role stands out for its stability, growth potential, and impact on business operations. Apply now to elevate your payroll career with Robert Half—where top talent meets unparalleled opportunities. Contact Christina Tran for details!

(Word count: 852)

Locations

  • San Francisco, California, United States

Salary

90,000 - 100,000 USD / yearly

Estimated Salary Rangehigh confidence

90,000 - 100,000 USD / yearly

* This is an estimated range based on market data and may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Skills Required

  • Payroll processingintermediate
  • Payroll complianceintermediate
  • Tax reconciliationintermediate
  • W-2 preparationintermediate
  • Payroll system maintenanceintermediate
  • Data analysis and reportingintermediate
  • Garnishment handlingintermediate
  • Audit and reconciliationintermediate
  • Employee payroll supportintermediate
  • Payroll policy developmentintermediate

Required Qualifications

  • 3+ years of payroll experience (experience)
  • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations (experience)
  • Proficiency in payroll software and HRIS systems (experience)
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy (experience)
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills (experience)
  • Experience with payroll audits and reconciliations (experience)
  • Ability to handle confidential information (experience)
  • Effective communication for employee and agency inquiries (experience)
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred (experience)

Responsibilities

  • Process payroll accurately and on time, ensuring compliance with regulations and policies
  • Handle manual checks, pay adjustments, bonuses, reimbursements, leave, and garnishments
  • Ensure timely payment of payroll taxes and deductions
  • Conduct audits, reconcile payroll data, balance sheets, and prepare tax schedules
  • Assist in W-2 preparation and maintain general ledger alignment
  • Provide guidance to employees and managers on payroll issues
  • Respond to inquiries from federal, state, and local agencies
  • Maintain payroll systems, update cost centers and codes
  • Generate payroll reports and perform data analysis for insights
  • Develop and document payroll policies, procedures, and controls

Benefits

  • general: Competitive salary range of $90,000 - $100,000
  • general: Hybrid work model (2 days onsite)
  • general: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • general: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • general: Paid time off and holiday schedule
  • general: Professional development opportunities
  • general: Collaborative and expanding team environment
  • general: Supportive management and career growth potential

Target Your Resume for "Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half" , Robert Half

Get personalized recommendations to optimize your resume specifically for Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half. Takes only 15 seconds!

AI-powered keyword optimization
Skills matching & gap analysis
Experience alignment suggestions

Check Your ATS Score for "Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half" , Robert Half

Find out how well your resume matches this job's requirements. Get comprehensive analysis including ATS compatibility, keyword matching, skill gaps, and personalized recommendations.

ATS compatibility check
Keyword optimization analysis
Skill matching & gap identification
Format & readability score

Tags & Categories

Robert Half CareersPayroll Jobs San FranciscoHybrid Payroll Specialist CAPayroll Compliance Jobs Bay AreaFinanceAccountingAdmin

Answer 10 quick questions to check your fit for Payroll Specialist - Careers at Robert Half @ Robert Half.

Quiz Challenge
10 Questions
~2 Minutes
Instant Score

Related Books and Jobs

No related jobs found at the moment.