Latham & Watkins, a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world, is currently seeking a Payroll Coordinator to join our winning team, located in our Global Services Office in downtown Los Angeles. 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.
As the global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to unfold, Latham has taken precautions to help protect our people, clients, and the communities where we live and work. This includes a temporary shift to remote working for the majority of our lawyers and staff. This position will likely start remotely while the firm continues to evaluate the situation.
The Payroll Coordinator will receive a generous total compensation package. Bonuses are awarded in recognition of individual and firm performance. Eligible employees can participate in Latham's comprehensive benefit program including healthcare, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401k plan, and more! In addition, employees receive 10 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure. As a Payroll Coordinator at Latham, you will perform 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 updated procedures, and preparing special reports for management while accomplishing these and other critical functions:
Validating incoming data and requests for all employees throughout their tenure for accuracy and logic, including not limited to:
Independently performing manual check processing, data source uploads, ad hoc reporting and queries, garnishment processing, system calculations, employee updates/edits, and tax update testing
Validating bi-weekly/semi-monthly/quarterly/annual tax reports for accuracy
Assisting the Payroll Manager and Payroll Supervisor with quarterly and annual tax filing for all jurisdictions.
Assisting the Payroll Manager and Payroll Supervisor with W-2 processing and distribution
Creating and validating bi-weekly/semi-monthly General Ledger files for upload to 3E accounting software
Maintaining YTD balances of the Firm’s salary accounts to ensure correct reclassification of expenses
Posting journal entries to reclassify Firm’s expenses
Working with the Finance and Accounting Managers to collect and report all firmwide salary data to report in USD and local currencies
Partnering with the General Ledger department to assist with account reconciliation
Providing pertinent payroll data to help answer all government surveys
Presenting analysis of payroll data to CFO, Director of Finance, and Payroll management to explain trends, forecasting, and budget variances
Vendor management with third party providers: ADP/WageWorks/MetLife/Kronos/Workers Compensation
Partnering with the Global Tax Department to ensure accurate Ex-Patriot tax processing
Manually calculating gross up transactions and federal/state withholding tax
Reviewing and validating upstream data files before uploading into PeopleSoft
Preforming timecard edits and balancing Kronos files to ensure accurate payroll processing
Working closely with local and global HR managers to assist with employee processing
Working closely with the Global Benefits Department for all Health and Welfare and Leave of Absence processing
Partnering with Accounts Payable to facilitate alternative payments
Collaborating with Global Partner Draw Coordinator to ensure accurate withholding of Employee Personal Charge deductions
Fielding all employee payroll related questions accurately, efficiently, and succinctly
Understanding Firm policies and procedures to correctly assess potential risk factors
Completing projects on various issues when needed
Promoting effective work practices, working as a team member (from filing to presentations), and showing respect for co-workers.
As a Payroll Coordinator, you will be expected to apply your organizational and communication skills while displaying a positive, high-energy attitude. The successful Payroll Coordinator must have robust knowledge of foundational payroll process and procedures. Proficiency with PeopleSoft 9.0 or higher and familiarity with ADP stand-alone processes, including Multi Jurisdiction Tax Filing and Garnishment Distribution are desired. An ideal candidate will display knowledge and proficiency in payroll procedures and tax requirements in multi jurisdictions to accurately assess potential risk factors. Working knowledge of Kronos Workforce and 3E is a plus. A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Accounting is required. Six (6) years of increasingly complex accounting experience may be considered in lieu of Bachelor’s degree. A minimum of three (3) years of experience working with multi-state payroll with an organization of 1500+ employees as well as experience in exempt and non-exempt employee processing is desired. Experience working in multiple payroll frequencies preferred is preferred. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ link.
Latham & Watkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity, equal opportunity and sustainability enables Latham & Watkins to draw from a remarkable wealth of talent to create one of the world's leading law firms.
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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