Payroll Analyst

Job Title: Part-Time Payroll Specialist / Payroll Analyst Job Description
This part-time contract role offers an experienced payroll professional the opportunity to support payroll operations during a high-volume period. You will process complex payrolls with a high degree of accuracy, handle detailed pay calculations such as shift differentials and overtime, and ensure full compliance with payroll laws and company policies. You will work closely with employees and internal stakeholders to deliver timely, accurate, and reliable payroll services while contributing to reporting, audits, and process improvements.
Responsibilities
- Process payroll for hourly and salaried employees with a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness.
- Review, validate, and reconcile payroll data, including shift differentials, overtime, bonuses, deductions, and other pay adjustments.
- Ensure payroll is administered in compliance with company policies, wage and hour regulations, and applicable payroll laws.
- Audit timekeeping records and investigate discrepancies related to hours worked, pay rates, differential pay, and other earnings.
- Respond promptly and professionally to employee and management inquiries regarding payroll calculations, pay statements, and related issues.
- Assist with payroll reporting, reconciliations, and payroll-related documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
- Support payroll projects and process improvement initiatives, contributing ideas to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
- Provide coverage and support for the payroll team throughout the contract assignment, ensuring service levels and deadlines are met.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including HR and finance, to ensure payroll deadlines and service expectations are consistently achieved.
- Use payroll systems, time and attendance tools, and Microsoft Excel to perform data entry, analysis, and reporting.
- Assist with payroll audits, reconciliations, and payroll accounting activities, including the review of payroll tax and deduction data.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation to support payroll compliance and audit requirements.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience processing payroll in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Strong knowledge of payroll practices, procedures, and compliance requirements, including wage and hour regulations.
- Hands-on experience calculating and administering shift differentials, overtime, and other complex pay elements.
- Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills when handling sensitive payroll data.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet strict payroll deadlines.
- Proficiency with payroll systems and Microsoft Excel, including formulas and pivot tables.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to respond professionally to employee and management inquiries.
- Customer service mindset with the ability to support employees and internal stakeholders effectively.
- Solid problem-solving abilities to identify, investigate, and resolve payroll discrepancies.
- Experience with timekeeping and time and attendance systems such as Kronos.
- Experience with major payroll software platforms such as ADP and SAP, or similar systems.
- Familiarity with payroll tax, deductions, payroll accounting, and reconciliation activities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience supporting payroll operations in high-volume environments with multiple shifts and varying pay rates.
- Background working with complex timekeeping practices and detailed time and attendance data.
- Familiarity with payroll compliance requirements and participation in payroll audits and reporting.
- Experience using Kronos, PeopleSoft, ADP Workforce Now, SAP, Oracle, or similar payroll and HR systems.
- Experience with payroll reporting, data analysis, and payroll-related documentation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including advanced use of Microsoft Excel for reporting and analysis.
- Exposure to human resources processes related to payroll, timekeeping, and employee data management.
- Experience in payroll tax processing, payroll accounting, and reconciliation is highly beneficial.
Work Environment
This is a part-time contract position supporting payroll operations during a high-volume period. The role requires working a set number of hours weekly, with Monday and Tuesday as mandatory workdays and an additional 4 hours on Friday. Start times are flexible within agreed parameters, allowing some adaptability in scheduling. You will work with a range of payroll and timekeeping technologies, including payroll software, time and attendance systems, and Microsoft Excel, in a professional office or hybrid environment focused on accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance. The work involves frequent use of computers, payroll systems, and standard office productivity tools, with collaboration across payroll, HR, and other internal teams to meet strict payroll deadlines.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Modesto, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $40.00/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 remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 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.