Contract Payroll Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This contract Payroll Manager role serves as a payroll subject matter expert and a key member of the Finance team in a growing organization. You will lead and support end-to-end payroll operations, business and tax processes, and vendor and partner management, while also contributing to broader finance and accounting activities. The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on payroll processing and accounting experience with a customer-centric mindset, delivering accurate, compliant, and timely payroll services in a fast-paced environment.

• Facilitate day-to-day payroll operations, including handling escalations, approvals, issue resolution, and employee communications.
• Manage payroll vendor activities such as payroll processing, month-end, quarter-end, and year-end or annual tasks.
• Prepare and review payroll data files for each payroll cycle to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare and process leave of absence calculations and other complex wage calculations.
• Prepare and process month-end and quarter-end payroll journal entries and support payroll-related accounting activities.
• Manage tax notices, registrations, wage orders, government correspondence, and provide support for payroll-related audits.
• Demonstrate a hands-on, “roll up your sleeves” approach with a strong sense of urgency, effectively balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Assist with vendor and stakeholder management by preparing requested statistical and financial payroll reports, data, and estimates.
• Provide superior customer service to employees and internal stakeholders on payroll systems, functions, issues, and questions.
• Troubleshoot payroll systems and payroll vendor interface files, identifying and resolving issues promptly.
• Partner closely with Accounting, HR, and Finance teams to support policies, projects, and operational initiatives.
• Manage year-end and annual payroll audits, reporting, and ad hoc payroll and finance analyses.
• Support additional finance responsibilities as needed, including data analysis and reporting.
• Own payroll operations with limited guidance, ensuring consistent accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of payroll experience.
• Direct, hands-on payroll processing experience, not limited to oversight or approvals.
• Ability to explain payroll processing workflows in detail, including end-to-end processes and controls.
• Strong understanding of month-end payroll activities beyond running reports, including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Familiarity with payroll-related accounting activities, including accruals, reconciliations, and general ledger impacts.
• Experience performing or supporting leave of absence calculations and payroll compliance processes.
• Knowledge of California state tax and wage and hour laws.
• Experience with multi-state payroll; exposure to global payroll is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Ultimate Software/UKG HRIS and/or other payroll software.
• Knowledge of payroll accounting to ensure accurate general ledger and tax reporting.
• Proficiency in reconciliation, analysis, month-end close, leave of absence processing, journal entries, and accruals.
• Experience with systems such as UKG, Kronos, Paycom, or similar payroll platforms.
• Ability to provide superior customer service and support to employees and internal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to a changing, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, security, and integrity of payroll data.
• Strong attention to detail, high level of organization, and ability to meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Capability to take ownership of payroll operations with minimal oversight.

• Strong preference for candidates who can balance hands-on payroll processing with audit and approval ownership as a second-level reviewer.
• UKG experience is preferred; experience with ADP, Paylocity, or Paycom with strong audit and reporting skills is also valuable.
• Background in biotech, life sciences, or similar environments is a plus but not required.
• Experience working within a payroll model where the vendor supports file uploads while the internal team owns validation, auditing, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across Finance and HR in a lean team environment.
• Strong analytical skills for preparing statistical and financial payroll reports and estimates.
• Comfort working with complex wage calculations, including leave of absence and compliance-driven pay scenarios.

You will work within a lean, highly collaborative team structure that partners closely across Finance and HR. The payroll model leverages a vendor-supported platform (such as UKG, ADP, Paylocity, or Paycom) where the vendor handles file uploads, while the internal team maintains full ownership of validation, auditing, and reporting. The environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, requiring a hands-on approach, strong ownership, and comfort managing multiple priorities. You will use modern HRIS and payroll systems, timekeeping tools like Kronos, and standard finance and accounting software to support payroll processing, reconciliations, and reporting. The culture emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and high-quality service to employees and stakeholders.

This is a Contract position based out of South San Francisco, CA.

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in South San Francisco,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 12, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.