Payroll Specialist

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.  

The Payroll Specialist is an integral part of Latham’s Payroll team and will be responsible for performing all activities necessary to process payroll efficiently and accurately, including maintaining related payroll records, filing tax reports and voluntary deduction reports, processing involuntary deductions such as levies and garnishments, preparing accounting transactions and documents, documenting and updating procedures, and preparing special reports for management, while validating incoming data and requests for all employees throughout their tenure for accuracy and logic, which may include federal/state tax forms, pay rate adjustments, direct deposit requests, leaves of absence processing, Kronos timekeeping edits, and terminations. This role will be located in our Global Services Office downtown Los Angeles. Please note that this role may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Independently performing manual check processing, data source uploads, ad hoc reporting and queries, garnishment processing, system calculations, employee updates/edits, and tax update testing
• Performing timecard edits and balancing Kronos files to ensure accurate payroll processing
• Leveraging understanding of firm policies and procedures to correctly assess potential risk factors
• Completing projects on various issues when needed
• Reviewing and validating upstream data files before uploading into HRIS

We’d love to hear from you if you:

• Demonstrate knowledge of foundational payroll process and procedures
• Possess working knowledge with PeopleSoft 9.0 or higher
• Display excellent math and bookkeeping skills needed to post/balance General Ledger accounts, and process journal entries as needed

And have:

• A high school diploma or equivalent; a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in Payroll/Accounting

Successful candidates will not only be provided with an outstanding career opportunity and welcoming environment, but will also be provided with a generous total compensation package with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham’s comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Healthcare, life and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g. mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional Development programs
• Employee discounts
• And more!

Additionally, we have a range of diversity programming including Global Affinity Groups. These groups provide a firmwide platform to share experiences and advice as well as an opportunity to participate in a supportive network with common interests to help make life at the firm even better.

Latham & Watkins is committed to diversity, equal opportunity, sustainability, and pro bono legal services. We draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms, and advance these commitments through the work of our Global Citizenship department. Our lawyers, paralegals, and professional staff worldwide comprise a rich mixture of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, and primary languages. Our diversity makes us who we are.

Latham & Watkins LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)​.  Please click the link below to review the Ordinance.

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