Senior Payroll Specialist

Position Title: Senior Payroll Specialist
Location: On-site – Palo Alto, CA
Duration: 2–3 month contract (with potential for extension)
Pay Rate: $45/hour + Full Benefits & 401(k) Match
Company: Bay Systems Consulting (supporting Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory - LBNL)

Position Summary:
Bay Systems Consulting is seeking a highly experienced Senior Payroll Specialist to support the payroll operations at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). This on-site role in Palo Alto will play a critical part in administering complex payroll functions and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and University of California (UC) policies and regulations. The ideal candidate brings deep payroll expertise, exceptional analytical skills, and a strong command of systems such as UCPath, PeopleSoft, and Excel.

This is a full-time contract role expected to last 2–3 months, with a strong possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and execute biweekly and monthly payroll transactions, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
• Reconcile payroll to UCPath invoices and the general ledger.
• Independently research and resolve complex payroll discrepancies and system irregularities.
• Develop and implement solutions to advanced payroll issues through thorough evaluation and analysis.
• Coordinate responses to sensitive employee inquiries in partnership with HR and the UCPath Service Center.
• Manage AskUs tickets and serve as the main point of contact between employees and UCPath for escalated payroll issues.
• Utilize financial systems (e.g., PeopleSoft FMS) for data analysis and collaborate with IT teams to generate custom reports.
• Prepare ad hoc and standard reports for internal stakeholders and external agencies.
• Support month-end and year-end payroll close activities, including fringe benefits, imputed income, and W-2 reconciliation.
• Conduct system testing for payroll applications such as the Lab Employee Time System (LETS) and UCPath.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field – or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 3–5 years of progressive payroll experience in a complex organization.
• Prior experience with the University of California system or other higher education institutions is highly preferred.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation is desirable but not required.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and advanced formulas.
• Strong understanding of payroll laws and compliance requirements, including taxation, garnishments, benefits, and payroll accounting.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex payroll policies and procedures.
• Experience managing high-volume and sensitive payroll processes with a high degree of accuracy and discretion.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently under limited supervision and exercise sound judgment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Zoom, and enterprise systems such as UCPath and PeopleSoft.

This position requires on-site presence in Palo Alto and is not open to remote work. Reliable attendance is essential due to prior staffing challenges.

We are looking for someone who can step in quickly, contribute immediately, and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.