Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Year-Round Richmond, CA (On-Site) Job Function: Finance & Business Operations Making Waves Academy (MWA) is seeking a meticulous Payroll & Accounting Specialist to manage our end-to-end bi-weekly payroll operations for 160+ team members while supporting core Accounts Payable and general ledger accounting. Reporting to the Business Office, this role is critical to maintaining payroll accuracy, employee satisfaction, and clean financial records. End-to-End Payroll Execution: Independently prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for 160+ faculty and staff using UKG.

Verify timesheets, process stipends, garnishments, and teacher summer hold-backs in full compliance with CA wage and hour laws.

Retirement & Advantages Administration: Manage monthly CalSTRS retirement reporting and reconciliations.

Accounts Payable & GL Support: Process vendor invoices, manage employee reimbursements, and post payroll journal entries to Sage Intacct.

Account Reconciliations: Clear payroll-related balance sheet accounts (FSA, life insurance) and support routine month-end accruals.



Partner closely with People Operations to maintain clean employee data and generate functional reporting (leave balances, overtime, headcount).

Experience: 3+ years of direct experience running full-cycle California payroll for 150+ employees.

Technical Skills: 1-2 years of hands-on General Ledger and AP experience (Sage Intacct and UKG experience strongly preferred).

Advanced

Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables).

Compliance Knowledge: Deep understanding of CA labor laws (overtime, meal breaks, final pay timing) and familiarity with CalSTRS or public school retirement reporting.

Education: High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business preferred. We afford equal advancement and employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender identity, gender expression, sex, religious creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. #

📌 Accounting Payroll Specialist (Vancouver)
🏢 Making Waves Academy
📍 Vancouver