Payroll Specialist (Part-Time Contract)

Payroll Specialist (Part-Time)

Location: San Marcos, CA Schedule: Part-Time | Flexible Hours

About the Opportunity

Join a well-established and growing HVAC services company that is committed to delivering exceptional service to customers throughout the region. We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Payroll Specialist to support our accounting and operations teams by ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who enjoys working independently, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and values being part of a collaborative team. With flexible part-time hours, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while maintaining strong work-life balance.

Position Overview

The Payroll Specialist will be responsible for full-cycle payroll processing for approximately 60 employees. This individual will play a key role in ensuring payroll accuracy, maintaining compliance with California labor laws, and supporting branch operations during a critical transition period.

Key Responsibilities

- Process weekly and bi-weekly payroll accurately and on schedule for approximately 60 employees.
- Review and audit employee timekeeping records, punches, and timecards.
- Identify, research, and resolve payroll discrepancies and exceptions.
- Ensure compliance with California wage and hour regulations, including meal and rest break requirements.
- Review payroll data for accuracy prior to submission.
- Meet all payroll deadlines and reporting requirements.
- Respond to employee payroll inquiries and assist with timesheet corrections or missing information.
- Maintain organized payroll records and supporting documentation.
- Assist with light administrative and clerical tasks as needed.
- Partner with branch leadership to ensure a smooth payroll transition and ongoing operational support.

Required Qualifications

- 1+ year of full-cycle payroll processing experience, preferably within California.
- Experience processing payroll for 50+ employees on weekly and/or bi-weekly payroll cycles.
- Experience using Dayforce, ADP, Paychex, UKG, Workday, or similar payroll/HRIS systems.
- Knowledge of California payroll regulations and labor compliance requirements.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify payroll errors and inconsistencies.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong communication and customer service skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience supporting payroll within service, construction, HVAC, field services, or skilled trades environments.
- Familiarity with employee timekeeping systems and attendance tracking.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Experience handling payroll audits and compliance-related documentation.

Why Join Us?

- Flexible part-time schedule that supports work-life balance.
- Stable and growing company with a strong reputation in the community.
- Collaborative team environment with supportive leadership.
- Opportunity to make an immediate impact and own a critical business function.
- Long-term potential for growth within a successful organization.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Marcos, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $39.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in San Marcos,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Aston Carter

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 [email protected] 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.