Payroll Lead

Since 2018, Elevate Aircraft Seating has been enhancing the passenger experience through innovative aircraft seat design and manufacturing. With locations in California, Washington, and Germany we are guided by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality.

We are looking for a skilled Payroll Lead to join our team in Huntington Beach, CA. This is an on-site position based in Huntington Beach, CA. We value teamwork, inclusivity, and continuous professional development, and we offer competitive benefits along with opportunities for growth.

Export Control Requirements:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

JOB SUMMARY

The Payroll Lead is responsible for leading and supporting the accurate, timely, and compliant administration of payroll while providing functional guidance and oversight of day-to-day payroll operations. This role serves as a key reviewer for bi-weekly and off-cycle payroll processing and performs advanced payroll functions, including payroll accounting and reconciliations, month-end and year-end activities, reporting, tax compliance, and coordination with ADP and government agencies.

The Payroll Lead partners closely with Human Resources, Accounting, supervisors, and the Payroll Administrator to resolve complex payroll issues, maintain strong internal controls, and ensure payroll transactions are accurately reflected in the Company's financial records. This role also drives continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance payroll processes, reporting capabilities, system efficiencies, and compliance practices to support the organization's continued growth.

SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES - Essential Functions (Other duties and projects may be assigned or requested.)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Payroll Processing & Oversight

• Lead bi-weekly payroll processing and off-cycle payments through ADP, reviewing payroll data for accuracy and completeness prior to final processing.
• Review employee timecards and coordinate with supervisors, Human Resources, and the Payroll Administrator to resolve discrepancies and ensure timely corrections.
• Ensure accurate calculation and processing of regular and overtime wages, meal penalties, deductions, taxes, and other payroll components in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Manage Wisely payments and other payroll-related payment activities.
• Support quarterly and year-end payroll activities, including quarterly tax reviews, W-2 validation, year-end adjustments, and ADP year-end processing.

Payroll Accounting & Month-End

• Prepare payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts, including wages, payroll taxes, 401(k), garnishments, accrued wages, PTO, FSA, DCFSA, and HSA accounts.
• Calculate monthly payroll and PTO accruals and post related entries to ensure payroll-related balances are accurately reflected in the financial records.
• Post temporary agency invoices in Syspro and prepare month-end accruals for unposted temporary agency invoices.
• Process employee benefit invoices, including medical, insurance, supplemental benefit, and retirement-related invoices.
• Research payroll accounting discrepancies and support timely and accurate month-end close activities.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare recurring, quarterly, and ad hoc payroll reports, including overtime, timecard hours, temporary agency labor, payroll trends, and other reports requested by Human Resources, Finance, management, and other stakeholders.
• Develop payroll reporting to support business growth, improve visibility, and provide meaningful payroll data to management.
• Report payroll metrics, discrepancies, compliance matters, and significant payroll issues to the Controller.

Payroll Compliance & ADP Coordination

• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local payroll and wage and hour requirements and monitor payroll practices for changes that may impact the organization.
• Coordinate with ADP to establish payroll requirements when employees are hired in new jurisdictions, including state tax registrations, unemployment insurance accounts, and withholding setup.
• Manage ADP SmartCompliance activities, including wage garnishments, tax notices, agency correspondence, and other payroll compliance matters.
• Research payroll tax issues and coordinate with ADP and applicable agencies to support accurate and timely filings.
• Manage payroll-related wage and employment verification requests and agency documentation in coordination with Human Resources and established confidentiality and compliance requirements.
• Support payroll audits, internal control reviews, and requests from internal and external stakeholders.

Employee & Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as the escalation point for complex employee payroll questions involving pay, deductions, taxes, timecards, direct deposit, benefits-related payroll items, and year-end documentation.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and coordinate with Human Resources, supervisors, Accounting, and employees to ensure issues are accurately addressed and clearly communicated.
• Provide guidance regarding payroll procedures and employee payroll documentation, including W-4, DE-4, direct deposit, and W-2 forms.
• Lead bi-weekly payroll coordination meetings with Human Resources to review upcoming payroll activities, employee changes, timecard issues, and other payroll matters.
• Payroll Leadership & Process Improvement
• Provide functional guidance and support to the Payroll Administrator while maintaining shared accountability for accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Serve as a key reviewer within the payroll process, strengthening segregation of duties, internal controls, and accuracy of payroll activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, reporting, documentation, and controls and implement payroll best practices to support organizational growth.
• Maintain payroll procedures and documentation to promote consistency, accuracy, compliance, and continuity of payroll operations.

Other

• Maintain a safe, secure and legal work environment, adhering to all Company policies and procedures.
• Protect the confidentiality of the Company’s information and products.
• Contribute to team efforts by performing other job-related duties and projects as assigned or requested.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned or requested.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS – Education, Knowledge, and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant payroll experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible payroll experience, including hands-on payroll processing, payroll accounting, reconciliations, and compliance activities.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex payroll activities, including bi-weekly and off-cycle payroll processing, month-end close, payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and year-end processing.
• Experience administering multi-state payroll and working with federal, state, and local payroll tax and wage and hour requirements.
• Experience working with ADP or a comparable payroll system, including payroll processing, tax compliance, garnishments, reporting, and year-end activities.
• Experience researching and resolving complex payroll discrepancies, tax matters, and compliance issues in partnership with Human Resources, Accounting, employees, and external payroll providers.
• Demonstrated experience providing functional guidance, reviewing the work of others, and supporting payroll process improvements and internal controls.

Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of payroll processes, federal, state, and local wage and hour requirements, payroll taxation, deductions, garnishments, and payroll compliance practices.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting principles, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, accruals, payroll taxes, benefit-related accounts, and month-end close activities.
• Proficiency with payroll and timekeeping systems, with the ability to independently process, review, audit, and troubleshoot payroll transactions and data.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, formulas, reconciliations, and analysis of large payroll data sets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to identify discrepancies, research root causes, and independently resolve complex payroll and accounting issues.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and time management with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet payroll, month-end, quarterly, and year-end deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide functional guidance, communicate complex payroll matters clearly, and collaborate with employees, supervisors, Human Resources, Accounting, management, external providers, and government agencies.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience with ADP Workforce Now and ADP SmartCompliance, including payroll processing, tax notices, garnishments, compliance activities, and year-end processing.
• Experience processing and supporting multi-state payroll, including establishing payroll requirements in new state jurisdictions.
• Experience with Syspro or a comparable ERP/accounting system.
• Payroll experience within a manufacturing, aerospace, or similarly complex work environment.
• Professional payroll certification, such as the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred.

Other:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Extended or irregular hours may be required.
• Employees must adapt to changing business needs and tasks as required.
• Elevate Aircraft Seating is an “at-will” employer; employment is at the mutual consent of both the employee and the employer, and may be terminated at will for any reason, with or without cause, at any time during employment with the Company.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), preferred.

SUPERVISION PROVIDED TO THE POSITION

• Works under general supervision, direction provided for assignments when necessary.
• Work is reviewed or measured based on meeting organizational objectives and schedules.
• Reports to Accounting Controller

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

• This role provides functional leadership, guidance, and work review support for payroll activities but does not have direct supervisory or people-management responsibility.

PROBLEM SOLVING

• Independently identifies, researches, and resolves complex payroll, tax, accounting, and compliance issues using sound judgment and established policies.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

BENEFITS / COMPENSATION
Elevate Aircraft Seating offers competitive wages and benefits to recognize employees for their work. Actual salaries will vary depending on experience and geographic location.

Salary Range Transparency: $72,000 - $90,000 annually

Featured Benefits:

• Generous 401(K) matching with immediate eligibility and vesting
• 3 weeks of Paid Time Off
• 12 paid holidays
• Affordable health care plans for yourself and your family
• And so much more!

Other Perks:

• On-site gym
• Free electric car charging stations
• Potential for growth within organization
• Supportive workplace environment with a team-oriented culture