Reporting to the Controller and working closely with the CFO and Human Resources team, this role serves as the subject matter expert for all payroll-related functions while also supporting accounting operations, reconciliations, audits, and financial reporting activities.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional with a strong accounting foundation who enjoys working cross-functionally and making a meaningful impact within a mission-driven organization.
What You'll Do:
- Manage and oversee the full payroll cycle for approximately 140-150 employees on a semi-monthly basis
- Review and monitor employee timecards, approvals, missed punches, and payroll-related changes
- Ensure payroll accuracy and compliance with federal, California state, and local regulations
- Administer payroll-related deductions, garnishments, benefits, retirement contributions, leave programs, and tax reporting
- Partner closely with Human Resources on new hires, terminations, employee changes, and payroll-related inquiries
- Prepare payroll audits, quarterly reporting, reconciliations, and compliance documentation
- Serve as the primary payroll resource for employees, managers, and leadership Accounting & Finance Support
- Prepare payroll-related journal entries and account reconciliations
- Assist with month-end close activities and financial reporting
- Support annual audits and special accounting projects
- Reconcile benefit invoices and retirement plan contributions
- Collaborate with Accounting and HR to strengthen internal controls and improve payroll processes
What They're Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- 5+ years of accounting experience
- 2+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience
- Strong knowledge of California payroll laws and regulations
- Experience managing payroll compliance, taxes, garnishments, and employee benefits
- Experience preparing payroll journal entries and reconciliations
- Excellent communication and employee service skills
- Strong Excel and HRIS/payroll system experience
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Paylocity experience
- Nonprofit or educational institution experience
- Experience with 403(b) retirement plans
- Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and workers' compensation administration
Why Join:
- Newly created role with significant ownership and visibility
- Direct partnership with senior leadership, including the CFO and Controller
- Mission-driven organization with a collaborative culture
- Primarily remote work environment with flexibility
- Excellent healthcare benefits
- Generous paid time off and holidays
- 403(b) retirement plan and employer contributions
- Opportunity to help build and improve payroll processes during an exciting transition
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
- 5+ years of accounting experience
- 2+ years of hands-on payroll processing experience
- Strong knowledge of California payroll laws and regulations
- Experience managing payroll compliance, taxes, garnishments, and employee benefits
- Experience preparing payroll journal entries and reconciliations
- Excellent communication and employee service skills
- Strong Excel and HRIS/payroll system experience
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across departments
- Paylocity experience
- Nonprofit or educational institution experience
- Experience with 403(b) retirement plans
- Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and workers' compensation administration
What We Do
GHJ is an accounting and advisory firm that specializes in nonprofit, food and beverage, entertainment and media and health and wellness companies. Previous recipient of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Employee Champion For Life Work Harmony Award and named a “Best Places to Work” by the Los Angeles Business Journal eight times since 2008, GHJ is passionate about helping clients and its people #BeMore by focusing on building thriving businesses and creating a better future. GHJ works as a business advocate for its clients — providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for growth. Through its affiliation with HLB International, a global network of independent professional accounting firms and business advisers, GHJ is able to partner with other top firms across major cities throughout the U.S. and the world. GHJ’s audit, tax and advisory teams leverage the HLB network to better serve its clients and give clients access to member firms in over 158 countries across the globe and over 775 offices worldwide. Also ranked as a top-20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, GHJ has 15 partners and more than 160 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. GHJ is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofit).
