Outsourced HR services for San Diego businesses
Protect what you have worked to build.
California is one of the most demanding states in the country for employers. Rules on hiring, pay, breaks, classification and final paychecks are detailed, and mistakes can lead to penalties, wage claims and audits. Most small businesses do not have an HR department. The owner or office manager handles it alongside everything else, often working from outdated templates and good intentions.
Skyward provides outsourced HR for businesses and nonprofits across San Diego County and North County. We take on comprehensive oversight of your HR practices, policies and procedures, identify and remediate risk and keep you aligned with employment law. That covers employee onboarding, benefit management, documented policies and respectful, compliant terminations, supported by the same team that handles your payroll and books.
One of the most common risks we find is worker misclassification. Under California's AB5, many people paid as independent contractors legally qualify as W-2 employees. Let Skyward assess your business and correct these issues before they turn into labor lawsuits and formal audits from the Employment Development Department. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice; when a matter calls for it, we work alongside your employment counsel.
Who it's for
- Small and mid-sized businesses without a dedicated HR person
- Owners who are unsure whether their contractors are classified correctly under AB5
- Companies with outdated or missing employee handbooks and policies
- Businesses that are hiring and want consistent, compliant onboarding
- Organizations that need help handling a termination properly
- Nonprofits balancing staff, part-time workers and volunteers
What's included
Outsourced HR,done properly.
01
HR oversight and policies
We review your HR practices, policies and procedures against current requirements and your actual operations. Gaps are prioritized and fixed, starting with the highest risks. You end up with documented policies your managers can follow consistently.
02
Employee onboarding
We build a consistent onboarding process with the required new-hire paperwork, notices and acknowledgments. New employees start with clear expectations and complete records. Your files are organized and ready if anyone asks for them.
03
Contractor versus W-2 classification
California applies the ABC test under AB5, which is stricter than the federal standard, and the EDD can audit employers for misclassification. We assess how each worker is classified and flag those at risk. Where changes are needed, we help you correct them and coordinate with your employment counsel when the situation warrants.
04
Risk mitigation and compliance
We help you stay compliant with employment law for hiring, pay and termination, and keep documented policies and records to show it. Regular reviews catch issues while they are still small. The aim is fewer surprises and a clear paper trail.
05
Terminations
Separations are handled legally and respectfully, with proper documentation. California has strict timing rules for final paychecks, which depend on how the employment ends, and we help make sure final pay is calculated and delivered on time. Sensitive situations are coordinated with your employment counsel.
06
Payroll processing support
Our firm is a Certified QuickBooks Payroll ProAdvisor, and we support payroll processing alongside your HR records. Pay changes, new hires and terminations flow through to payroll correctly. HR, payroll and accounting stay in agreement.
Deliverables
What landsin your inbox.
A fixed cadence you can plan around, shared through your secure Karbon client portal.
Runs on
- QuickBooks Payroll
- QuickBooks Online
- Karbon
- OngoingHR practices and policy review with remediation plan
- OngoingOnboarding packets and new-hire documentation
- OngoingTermination support and final-pay coordination
- OngoingContractor classification review
- MonthlyPayroll processing support and HR record updates
- AnnuallyHandbook and policy update review
What to expect
How we partnerwith you.
Onboard
We refine your existing HR documents and processes, review worker classification and address the highest-risk gaps first.
Ongoing
Talent management that stays compliant and audit-ready: onboarding, policy updates, payroll support and help with difficult situations as they arise.
Outcomes
Fewer legal risks, cost savings and peace of mind that your people practices protect what you have built.
FAQ
Outsourced HRquestions.
What is AB5 and how does it affect my business?
AB5 is the California law that codified the ABC test for deciding whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Under it, a worker is generally presumed to be an employee unless the business can show all three parts of the test, though the law includes exemptions for certain occupations and business relationships. Misclassification can lead to back wages, payroll taxes, penalties and EDD audits, so it is worth reviewing how your workers are classified.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. Skyward is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We handle the day-to-day HR work, policies and compliance processes, and when a matter needs a legal opinion, we work alongside your employment counsel.
What happens during an EDD audit?
The Employment Development Department reviews payroll records and worker classification to confirm that wages were reported and payroll taxes paid correctly. Audits can result in assessments for unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. The best preparation is correct classification and complete, organized records before an audit begins.
Do I need outsourced HR if I only have a few employees?
Small employers face most of the same California requirements as larger ones, and one misstep, such as a late final paycheck or a misclassified contractor, can be costly. Outsourced HR gives you documented policies and a reliable process without hiring a full-time HR manager.
Can you run our payroll?
Our firm is a Certified QuickBooks Payroll ProAdvisor and provides payroll processing support, keeping payroll aligned with your HR records and your books. We will review your current setup during onboarding and recommend what makes sense.
Related services
Often pairedwith this.
- People
Employee Benefits
Benefit package design, health insurance and 401(k) administration support, open enrollment, cost management, compliance and clear communication to your staff.
- Finance
Internal Controls
Segregation of duties for small teams, approval workflows, reconciliation discipline, documented close procedures and fraud-risk reduction that keep your books audit-ready.
- Finance
Outsourced Accounting
A full accounting department without the overhead: classifications, reconciliations, AP and AR support, month-end close and reporting, delivered by one steady team for a fixed monthly fee.
Ready to take yourbusiness Skyward?
Tell us where your finance and HR operations stand today. We'll map out what fixed-fee support would look like — usually live within about a week.