Payroll Specialist

Number of employees

Hybrid Remote/ Redwood City, CA

Posted on: 2026-10-02

Category: transportation

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Employment type:

Full time

Remote?

Yes

Experience required:

Intermediate

Salary

Salary not provided

About the company:

Zum is a student transportation company headquartered in the United States that provides technology-driven school bus and ride services for K-12 students. The company partners with school districts to modernize student transportation through a platform that connects drivers, schools, parents, and students in real time, offering improved safety, visibility, and efficiency compared to traditional school bus operations. Zum emphasizes the use of data and technology to optimize routes and improve the overall transportation experience for families and school administrators. A core part of Zum's mission is accelerating the transition to clean transportation by deploying electric vehicles for student transit. The company has committed to electrifying its fleet and has partnered with school districts and utilities to introduce electric school buses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for children and communities. Zum positions itself as a leader in sustainable student mobility, aligning fleet electrification with broader climate goals. What makes Zum unique is its integrated approach combining a managed services model with proprietary technology and a growing electric vehicle fleet. Rather than simply selling software, Zum takes on the full operational responsibility of running transportation programs for school districts, making it easier for districts to transition to greener, more efficient systems without the burden of fleet ownership or logistics management.

About Zūm:

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zūm CMX™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX  is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

As a Payroll Specialist, you will support the day-to-day payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing for employees. This role focuses on payroll execution, compliance, reconciliation, and reporting while partnering with internal teams to maintain data integrity and resolve payroll-related inquiries. This position reports to the Sr. Manager of Payroll and does not include supervisory responsibilities.

This is a hybrid position based out of our headquarters in Redwood City, CA. You will be required to be onsite 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday). We will only consider candidates already located in the Bay Area.

The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of equity or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role in US CA is: $112,000 – $132,000.

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

What You'll Do:

  • Process payroll for 1000 + hourly and salaried employees, including adjustments, Bonus, Reimbursement, corrections, retroactive pay and off cycle / manual checks.

  • Administer union payroll per CBA terms, including shift differentials, overtime, and union dues deductions.

  • Review payroll data for accuracy, ensuring proper calculations of wages, taxes, and deductions.

  • Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll regulations, including tax filings and year-end activities (e.g., W-2s).

  • Perform regular payroll audits to identify discrepancies and ensure accuracy.

  • Assist in preparing payroll reports and supporting documentation as needed.

  • Respond to employee payroll inquiries and provide timely resolution.

  • Reconcile payroll registers to each pay period, Validate hours; resolve variances promptly

  • Collaborate with HR, Finance, and other teams to ensure accurate employee data and payroll processing.

  • Perform pre  and post-payroll audits each cycle to catch errors before disbursement.

  • Support internal/external audit engagements and SOX compliance; maintain payroll internal controls documentation.

  • Identify process gaps and recommend improvements to strengthen accuracy and efficiency.

  • Conduct periodic internal audits for compliance with FLSA, state wage laws, and CBA provisions.

  • What You Bring To Zūm:

  • 3–5+ years of payroll processing experience.

  • Working knowledge of payroll practices, compliance requirements, and multi-state payroll processing.

  • Experience with payroll systems such as ADP (Workforce Now or Lyric) and time & attendance systems.

  •  Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data validation) for reconciliation and auditing.

  •  Working knowledge of FLSA and IRS payroll tax regulations.

  • Familiarity with payroll reporting and account reconciliations.

  • Proficiency in Google Workspace or similar tools.

  • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage deadlines.

  • Effective communication and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience in a fast-paced or high-growth environment is a plus.

  • Exposure to collective bargaining agreements is preferred.

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business (or equivalent experience)

  • FPC/CPP designation is a plus.

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