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

• Own and administer the full payroll lifecycle for all employees.
• Review, audit, and validate payroll transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Process and manage employee compensation changes, bonuses, incentives, deductions, garnishments, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely in accordance with established schedules and applicable regulations.
• Research and resolve complex payroll issues, discrepancies, and employee inquiries.
• Maintain payroll records and ensure the confidentiality of compensation-related information.
• Manage year-end payroll activities, including W-2 processing, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Serve as the organization's primary resource for payroll administration and compliance matters.

Payroll Compliance and Risk Management

•  Interpret and apply federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations.
• Monitor changes in payroll legislation and assess operational impact.
• Recommend and implement process and policy updates to maintain compliance.
• Develop, document, and maintain payroll procedures and internal controls.
• Conduct periodic audits of payroll transactions and employee records.
• Identify and address payroll-related compliance risks.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax requirements, wage and hour laws, garnishments, and reporting obligations.

Financial Analysis and Accounting Support

• Prepare payroll-related journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile payroll accounts, payroll liabilities, retirement contributions, and benefit deductions.
• Perform payroll variance analyses and research discrepancies.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Generate payroll reports and provide analysis to Accounting leadership.
• Assist with labor cost reporting, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Support internal and external financial audits and provide required documentation.

Fidelity Retirement Plan Administration

•  Serve as primary administrator for the company's Fidelity retirement plan.
• Manage participant eligibility, enrollment, contribution elections, loan requests, hardship withdrawals, and distributions.
• Ensure accurate and timely transmission of employee and employer contributions.
• Reconcile retirement plan records between payroll and Fidelity systems.
• Coordinate annual retirement plan audits, compliance testing, and required reporting.
• Maintain plan records and documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Act as liaison between employees, Fidelity representatives, auditors, third-party administrators, and management.
• Respond to employee questions regarding retirement plan participation and administration.

 Process Improvement and Systems Administration

•  Evaluate payroll processes and recommend efficiencies and process improvements.
• Identify automation opportunities to improve accuracy and operational effectiveness.
• Assist with payroll system enhancements, upgrades, testing, and implementations.
• Develop and maintain payroll documentation, workflows, and procedural guides.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Accounting to ensure accurate employee and compensation data.
• Participate in special projects related to payroll, compliance, retirement plan administration, and organizational growth.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive payroll administration experience.
• Experience administering payroll for an organization with 250 or more employees.
• Experience supporting multi-state payroll administration.
• Experience administering a 401(k) or retirement plan.
• Experience preparing payroll reconciliations, audit schedules, and financial reports.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and payroll systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive information.

Preferred

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
• Direct experience administering Fidelity retirement plans.
• Experience supporting organizational growth and scaling payroll processes.
• Experience with payroll system upgrades or implementations.
• Knowledge of payroll-related accounting principles and internal controls.