Job Title: Payroll Clerk

Job Pay: Hourly, $28 – $36
Job Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: Business Administration
Reports to: Payroll Supervisor
Location: Diamond Bar, CA (100% On-Site)
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Company Overview

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a fast-casual restaurant chain with over 120 locations across California and Arizona. We specialize in authentic Hawaiian plate lunches and island-inspired favorites, prepared fresh daily using the highest-quality ingredients. Our mission is to deliver great food and exceptional service while fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture—our “ohana.”

Job Overview

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Clerk to support and administer accurate, compliant, and timely payroll operations. This role goes beyond transactional payroll processing and includes auditing, reconciliation, reporting, and compliance responsibilities. The Payroll Clerk works closely with Payroll, HR, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and excellent employee support.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Administer the processing of the organization’s payroll and collect payroll data to maintain accurate and complete payroll records. Inform DMs of any missed or incorrect time punches. Check timesheets to ensure DMs authorized and approve time punches.
• Verify sick pay balance to ensure that the employee has time to use before entering sick time on the timesheet.
• Process terminations (Manual checks), stop payments for lost checks, pay changes, transfers, and reclassifications.
• Track and determine regular and overtime pay, double time, meal premiums, sick pays, food course reimbursements and mileage reimbursements.
• Assist DMs or employees with any issues or questions regarding payroll, missed pays, direct deposits and Dayforce cards support information, labor costs and new store training.
• Facilitate the list of unclaimed property from Accounting by contacting employees, reissuance of checks and verification of current address.
• Process garnishments in Dayforce and respond to agencies if needed. Inform and send the employee a copy of the garnishment.

Reconciliation, Auditing & Compliance

• Audit payroll information for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Reconcile payroll deposits, tax withholdings, wage garnishments, and voluntary deductions.
• Review insurance premiums, benefits, pension/retirement plans, 401(k) contributions and employer match.
• Ensure payroll-related transactions comply with federal, state, and local laws and company policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of payroll laws, wage and hour regulations, and payroll administration best practices.

Accounting & Reporting Support

• Analyze payroll and employee-related expenses and ensure payroll-related general ledger accounts are properly reconciled.
• Generate and support ongoing payroll reporting, including month-end, quarterly, and year-end reports.
• Generate payroll accrual entries as required.
• Assist with Accounts Payable check requests related to payroll, as necessary.

Payroll Adjustments & Issue Resolution

• Review and process payroll adjustments, including vacation, sick, and other paid time off.
• Monitor payroll system reports and exception reports, identifying and resolving errors.
• Reconcile payroll discrepancies and maintain accurate payroll records.
• Prepare and respond to notices from government agencies regarding payroll and employee tax filings.

Employee Support & Collaboration

• Serve as a point of contact for employee and management payroll inquiries, resolving issues in a timely and professional manner for the region assigned.
• Communicate proactively with District Managers regarding time clock corrections, approvals, and payroll issues.
• Participate in payroll problem-solving efforts and special projects within the Payroll Department.
• Assist with training and mentoring Payroll Clerks to ensure consistency and accuracy across payroll operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll processing.
• Experience with bi-weekly payroll for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Proficiency with Ceridian Dayforce and/or ADP Workforce Now (Dayforce preferred).
• Experience with R365 Accounting software is preferred
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP).
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Multi-state payroll experience (CA, AZ, TX preferred).
• Bilingual Spanish is a plus but not required.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company matching
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance and Employee Assistance Program (E.A.P.)
• Generous PTO and Sick Time
• Paid Holidays

Company Perks

Ono Hawaiian BBQ offers employees access to exclusive online discounts for amusement parks, restaurants, movie theaters, sporting events, spas, and more—supporting a healthy work-life balance and meaningful experiences outside of work.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds

Environmental Conditions

• Office environment

Additional Information

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.