Payroll Specialist

Overview

Payroll Manager San Francisco, CA | Hybrid | Temp-to-Hire

About the Role

Are you a payroll professional who wants to own the process—not just push buttons? We're looking for a Payroll Manager who brings both payroll expertise and accounting chops to a mission-driven nonprofit in San Francisco.

This is a newly elevated role with real autonomy. You'll run the full payroll cycle for approximately 300 employees, prepare journal entries, and be the go-to expert for all things payroll. If you're tired of being a cog in a massive payroll department and want a seat at the table where your work is visible and valued, this is it.

• Own full-cycle bi-weekly payroll processing for 300 employees using Paylocity
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries to the general ledger
• Partner with HR on pay changes, garnishments, benefits calculations, and compliance
• Review and approve expense reimbursements for proper documentation and coding
• Manage quarterly and annual filings including workers' comp
• Be the point person on payroll Fridays—answering questions and processing manual checks as needed

• Paylocity experience (required)
• Strong accounting foundation—you understand debits, credits, and how payroll hits the GL
• Knowledge of California payroll regulations and labor laws
• A track record of working independently and taking initiative
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with HR and leadership
• CPP certification or public accounting background (a plus, not required)

• Schedule: Hybrid, 2–3 days in office (Tuesdays and Fridays preferred)
• Location: San Francisco
• Dress Code: Business casual—jeans are fine
• Employment Type: Temporary with strong potential to convert to permanent
• Compensation: Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience

You'll join a tight-knit finance team at a community-focused organization that makes a real difference in people's lives. This isn't a faceless corporation—your expertise will directly impact how smoothly 300 employees get paid, and leadership will know your name.

Ready to take ownership? Let's talk.