Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Job Title: Payroll & Benefits Administrator

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90071

Salary/Payrate: $100-125K annually and AWESOME benefits!!!

Work Environment: 3 days WFH after initial training period

Term: Permanent / Fulltime 

Bachelor’s degree required: Yes

Referral Fee: AMS will pay $500 should the person you refer gets hired

JOB DESCRIPTION

A mid‑sized law firm is seeking a Payroll & Benefits Administrator to oversee payroll operations and employee benefit programs, including retirement plan administration. This role manages end‑to‑end payroll processing, ensures regulatory compliance, supports financial reconciliation, and administers benefit and retirement plan activities. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, excellent judgment, and the ability to maintain confidentiality while supporting employees and internal teams.

Payroll Administration & Compliance

• Manage full‑cycle payroll processing for all employees, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
• Review and validate payroll transactions, including compensation changes, bonuses, deductions, and garnishments.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local payroll regulations; monitor legislative updates and assess impact.
• Maintain payroll records, internal controls, and documentation.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.
• Oversee year‑end payroll activities, including reconciliations and W‑2 preparation.
• Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, tax requirements, and reporting obligations.
• Recommend process improvements and policy updates to strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.

Retirement Plan Administration 

• Serve as the primary administrator for the organization’s retirement plan, overseeing participant enrollment, contribution elections, changes, and withdrawals.
• Coordinate retirement plan transactions such as loans, hardship requests, distributions, and contribution adjustments.
• Ensure accurate and timely transmission of benefit and retirement plan data between payroll and external vendors.
• Reconcile benefit deductions, employer contributions, and retirement plan records.
• Support annual retirement plan audits, compliance testing, and required regulatory reporting.
• Maintain plan documentation, participant records, and compliance files.
• Act as liaison between employees, benefit vendors, retirement plan representatives, auditors, and internal departments.
• Provide guidance to employees regarding benefit and retirement plan participation, processes, and policies.

Financial & Accounting Support

• Prepare payroll‑related journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile payroll accounts, liabilities, benefit deductions, and retirement plan contributions.
• Perform variance analysis and research discrepancies.
• Support month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes.
• Generate payroll and benefits reports for Accounting and HR leadership.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and labor cost reporting.
• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance, Accounting or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of hands‑on payroll experience with increasing responsibility.
• Background managing payroll for large, multi‑state employee organizations (250+ employees).
• Practical experience administering employee benefits and retirement plan programs, including contribution management and vendor coordination.
• Strong understanding of payroll reconciliations, reporting practices, and audit support.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Excel and modern payroll systems.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, resolve discrepancies, and maintain organized, accurate records.
• Proven discretion and professionalism when handling confidential compensation and benefits information.

Preferred

• Payroll certification such as CPP.
• Experience supporting organizational growth or scaling payroll/benefits operations.
• Familiarity with payroll system upgrades, testing, or new technology rollouts.
• Working knowledge of payroll‑related accounting concepts and internal control processes.