Job description
GHJ is looking for a Senior Specialist, Total Rewards
WHY we get up in the morning
At GHJ we help our people and clients pursue their passions, build thriving businesses, and create a better future.
WHAT we believe
We believe that collaboration is the foundation for success. We work as a business advocate for our clients – providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for the future.
HOW we succeed
We are deeply committed to our core values of Bright Minds, Brave Hearts and Bold Actions and incorporate them into every aspect of our business. By living these values, we are able to meet our strategic objectives of Remaining Fiercely Independent (financial success), Meeting client demands/needs (client success), Reinforcing and expanding cultural distinction (people success).
Summary of Role:
The Senior Specialist, Total Rewards supports the execution and administration of GHJ’s total rewards programs, including benefits, compensation, and payroll. Reporting to the Manager, People Operations & Total Rewards, this role partners closely with the broader People team and key external vendors to ensure accurate, compliant, and employee-focused delivery.
GHJ utilizes Dayforce as its HRIS, Puzzle HR for managed payroll and benefits administration, and OneDigital for 401(k), leave of absence, and benefits support. The Senior Specialist acts as a day-to-day liaison with these partners, resolving issues, supporting escalations, and helping maintain strong vendor relationships.
Key areas of responsibility include annual Open Enrollment, benefits and retirement plan administration, compensation review cycles, and bi-weekly payroll processing, along with ongoing process optimization and operational support.
The Senior Specialist, Total Rewards owns the day-to-day execution and administration of GHJ’s total rewards programs, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and a positive employee experience across benefits, payroll, and compensation.
You will be responsible for:
- Payroll & Pay Administration
- Partner with Puzzle HR to execute accurate and timely processing of two bi-weekly payrolls.
- Review, reconcile, and validate timecard data, time-off transactions, and payroll previews prior to final submission.
- Maintain employee payroll records, including pay changes, deductions, and direct deposit updates.
- Review quarterly and annual tax reporting, including final Forms W-2 and 1099.
- Process and calculate separation pay in a timely and compliant manner.
- Benefits & Leave Administration
- Administer core and ancillary benefit programs, including health and welfare plans,charitable giving programs, EPA, and other employee perks.
- Lead benefits renewal and annual Open Enrollment processes, in partnership with external vendors.
- Manage Medicare eligibility administration and required employee notifications.
- Oversee the leave of absence process, coordinating with external vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure consistent and compliant execution.
- Notify and educate employees on benefit programs, changes, and key deadlines.
- Vendor & Compliance Oversight
- Serve as a primary point of contact with Puzzle HR and other benefits vendors to resolve issues and ensure service quality.
- Coordinate with Puzzle HR to audit benefits carrier invoices against current enrollments and resolve discrepancies.
- Maintain regulatory reporting and compliance requirements, including Form 5500, Section 125, HIPAA, Medicare Part D reporting, and annual workers’ compensation audits.
- Compensation & Retirement Programs
- Administer compensation review cycles in support of performance management processes.
- Support 401(k) administration, including change file verification, audits, and non-discrimination testing.
What we need from you:
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to reconcile data, spot issues, and follow them through to resolution.
- Solid judgment and problem-solving skills, especially in areas that impact pay, benefits, or compliance.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities, particularly during payroll cycles and open enrollment.
- Clear, approachable communicator who can explain benefits and pay topics to employees.
- High level of discretion when handling sensitive employee and compensation information.
- Comfortable partnering with vendors and working cross-functionally with People and Finance teams.
- Process-oriented mindset with an interest in improving how work gets done.
- A passion for serving others and a steady focus on the needs of the employees.
- Fearless when approaching unknown territory – willing to get hands dirty and ask all the questions.
What skills & experience you’ll bring to us:
- 5+ years of progressive experience in total rewards, HR operations, or a related HR specialty, with hands-on responsibility for benefits, payroll, and compensation administration (Bachelor’s degree preferred)
- Demonstrated experience managing bi-weekly payroll processing, including payroll audits, reconciliations, and coordination with external payroll providers
- Experience working with benefits vendors/brokers and communicating effectively with associated internal and external parties
- Strong working knowledge of health and welfare benefits, retirement plans (401(k)), leaves of absence, and open enrollment processes.
- Experience supporting compensation review cycles and maintaining employee pay data with a high degree of accuracy and confidentiality.
- Working knowledge of total rewards–related compliance and regulatory requirements, including ERISA, HIPAA, Section 125, Form 5500, Medicare reporting, and payroll tax filings (W-2, 1099).
- Experience partnering with HRIS platforms (e.g., Dayforce) and third-party vendors to administer payroll and benefits programs.
- Experience developing and scaling processes and working in a rapid-paced, high-growth environment
- Basic knowledge of payroll processing
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Strategic mindset and approach
- Great organizational skills, high attention to detail, and strong sense of urgency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Seven decades, overriding focus: our people and our clients.
GHJ was founded in 1953, making us one of the oldest independent firms in the Los Angeles area. Ranked as a top 20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, the firm has 24 partners and approximately 200 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. Our firm is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), Public Company Accounting Oversite Board (PCAOB), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN). Collaboration and maintaining strong relationships are the cornerstones of our success.
We are also an independent member of HLB International, a worldwide organization of over 250 member professional accounting firms and business advisors. This affiliation gives us access to the subject matter experts of other member firms and provides consulting and professional services in over 158 countries through its nearly 800 offices worldwide.
GHJ complies with all local/state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, ranges, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications (e.g. JD, technology), for example. At GHJ, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $85,000 - $95,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity
GHJ is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including Department Heads and co-workers.
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
