Payroll Tax Administrator

We are looking for a Payroll Tax Administrator to support complex payroll tax and reconciliation activities for a public-sector style, multi-entity environment in Downey, California. This Long-term Contract position focuses on quarterly and annual payroll balancing, W-2 validation, tax filing support, and close collaboration with payroll teams to maintain accurate reporting and compliance. The role also contributes to process documentation, training, and scalable support as additional districts are brought into the organization’s payroll operations.

Responsibilities:
• Conduct quarter-end and year-end payroll reconciliations to confirm the accuracy of federal, state, Medicare, and local tax reporting.
• Compare payroll results from gross pay through net pay and investigate mismatches involving taxes, deductions, and related payroll outputs.
• Examine adjustment activity across reporting periods to ensure corrections are applied to the appropriate quarter and reflected properly in payroll records.
• Review W-2 wage and tax data, including taxable earnings, pre-tax and post-tax deductions, benefits, retirement contributions, and imputed income, and resolve issues before final issuance.
• Prepare and validate payroll data used for state and federal reporting submissions, and address file or transmission errors to support timely acceptance.
• Work closely with district payroll teams during quarterly reviews and year-end close to resolve discrepancies and support accurate adjustment entries.
• Deliver training sessions, walkthroughs, and clear procedural documentation to promote consistent reconciliation practices across payroll teams.
• Audit deduction configurations and contribution limits for retirement-related plans such as 403(b) and 457 arrangements, and assist with correction activity when needed.
• Verify overtime calculations against applicable labor agreements and organizational payroll rules to ensure accurate employee compensation.
• Support the onboarding of additional districts by helping create repeatable workflows, reference materials, and operational guidance for expanded payroll administration.

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience in payroll processing, payroll tax administration, or payroll reconciliation within a multi-entity environment.
• Strong background in quarter-end and year-end payroll balancing, including W-2 review and payroll tax compliance activities.
• Experience working with state and federal payroll reporting files and resolving filing exceptions or submission issues.
• Knowledge of retirement and tax-advantaged deduction programs, including 403(b) and 457 plans, along with related contribution reviews.
• Ability to analyze payroll discrepancies, interpret reports, and perform detailed reconciliations with a high degree of accuracy.
• Hands-on experience with full-cycle payroll and familiarity with multi-state payroll practices.
• Proficiency with payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now and strong working knowledge of W-2 processing.
• Effective communication and training skills with the ability to support end users and document payroll procedures clearly.

Compensation

$33.25-$38.50 Hourly

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.

Robert Half will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.