Payroll Specialist IV

LegalZoom is on a mission to help people navigate the legal system with confidence and clarity. As a leader in online legal services for over 25 years, we combine technology, attorney-led solutions, and expertise to protect the aspirations, lives, and legacies of millions of customers. If you’re ready to contribute to a collaborative, diverse, and distributed group of creative thinkers and problem-solvers, we can’t wait to meet you.

This hybrid position will work remotely as well as onsite in our Sherman Oaks CA or Austin TX offices.

At LegalZoom, we operate with a human-in-the-loop model, where AI enhances—rather than replaces—human judgment. We believe the strongest outcomes for our customers come from thoughtfully integrating human expertise with AI capabilities to improve accuracy, safety, and decision-making.

To align with our AI-integrated operating model, our interview process will assess AI fluency, curiosity, and measurable/impactful workflow integration.

Our US payroll team helps employees get paid accurately and on time through reliable processing, controls, and employee support. As a Payroll Specialist, you will directly support this team as a hands-on, staff-level individual contributor, partnering with ADP and internal teams to validate inputs, reconcile results, resolve complex issues, and improve multistate US payroll operations.

• Support regular and off-cycle US payroll in partnership with ADP, meeting deadlines for source inputs, payroll review, and approved corrections.

• Validate new hires, employee changes, terminations, and leave-related pay inputs. Follow up on timecard exceptions and missing approvals with managers and internal partners before cutoff.

• Review earnings, adjustments, deductions, benefits, 401(k), and employee tax setup; investigate discrepancies and coordinate corrections with ADP and internal partners.

• Reconcile payroll previews and registers to approved inputs and calculation worksheets; prepare reporting and reconciliation support for Finance and document required approvals before transmission.

• Research and resolve employee and manager payroll inquiries through the team's service process, explain outcomes clearly, and escalate issues requiring additional authorization or expertise.

• Maintain audit-ready payroll records, reconciliation workpapers, and SOX control evidence; support internal and external audits and review quarter-end and year-end payroll outputs.

• Document procedures, checklists, and recurring issues; strengthen handoffs and backup coverage, and share practical guidance with teammates.

• Partner with HRIS and payroll providers on data discrepancies, system testing, and process improvements. Use approved automation and AI tools with human review and appropriate protection of payroll data.

• At least 5 years of hands-on payroll experience, including multistate US payroll processing and review.

• Hands-on ADP payroll experience; ADP Workforce Now and its reporting tools preferred.

• Strong knowledge of payroll calculations, federal and state payroll requirements, deductions, benefits, 401(k), adjustments, and payroll controls.

• Experience reconciling payroll data, investigating complex discrepancies, and maintaining SOX or comparable audit documentation.

• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills, including lookups, pivot tables, and data validation; ability to turn payroll data into clear reporting.

• Sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and reliable follow-through in a deadline-driven environment; ability to work independently, partner across teams, and handle confidential information with care.

The salary range for this role is ($114,200-182,200). Actual compensation offered will depend on several factors including but not limited to: geographic location, work experience, education, skill level, and/or other business and organizational needs. In addition, an annual bonus, incentive bonus and/or restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package. You will also receive a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as seen below.

●  Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

●  401k, With Matching Contributions

●  Paid Time Off

●  Health Savings Account (HSA)

●  Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

●  Short-Term/Long-Term Disability Insurance

●  Plus other wellness benefits to include:

○  Fertility

○  Mental Health

○  One Medical

Join us in making a difference as we build our future and help ensure access to professional legal advice to all! LegalZoom is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.  LegalZoom prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Additionally, LegalZoom is enrolled in the E-Verify program. For additional information on E-Verify, please visit Participation and Right to Work pages.