Payroll Accountant

San Diego Community College District; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid holidays

CalPERS retirement

Job summary

San Diego Community College District is seeking a Payroll Accountant for the District Office in Mission Valley. This full-time, 1.0 FTE position offers hybrid scheduling and a 8am-5pm workday, with eligibility for comprehensive benefits.

New employees start at Step C ($5,353.79) per month; the salary range is $5,353.79–$7,751.35 per month, based on the AFTClassified Professionals – Salary Schedule. See details in the posting.

Qualifications

• CPP or FPC certification required or preferred.
• Previous payroll or accounting experience is essential.
• Thorough understanding of payroll taxes (federal, state, local) and deductions.
• Knowledge of state/local payroll regulations and GAAP principles.
• Attention to detail and high ethical standards in handling data.

Skills

CPP/FPC

Payroll exp

GAAP knowledge

Payroll regs

Excel

Discretion & ethics

Tools

Excel

Job description

Payroll Accountant

Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Classification Title: Payroll Accountant
Working Title: District Office Accounting Specialist
Recruitment Limits:
Location: District
Pay Information: Range 27 ($5,353.79- $7,751.35) per month based on the current AFTClassified Professionals – Salary Schedule.

New employees will begin on Step C ($5,353.79). Salary negotiation is not allowed. Promoted or transferred employees will be placed as specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This position is FLSA Non-exempt (may accrue overtime). Excellent benefits are provided to all Contract employees with assignments greater than, or equal to, 50% (0.50FTE) and all eligible dependents. See Additional Information for more details.

A temporary probationary period will apply to the employee entering this assignment. The SDCCDEmployee Relations webpage provides a link to employee collective bargaining agreements/handbooks which provide more information about terms and conditions of employment, compensation and benefits.

Position Equivalent FTE: 1.0
No. Months: 12
Position Number: 007363
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (accrues overtime)
Position Type: Classified
Bargaining Unit: Classified Professionals
Range: 27
Department: People, Culture, & Tech Services

Applications are currently being accepted for District Office Accounting Specialist (Payroll Accountant) in the People, Culture, and Technology Services Division, located at the District Office in Mission Valley. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm with hybrid and flexible scheduling available. Selected candidate must be willing to adjust work days/hours based on the department's needs.

For advertising purposes, the Working Title, Payroll Accountant, is being used. The Classification Title is District Office Accounting Specialist.

Please note that an employee may be transferred to any site at the option of the Chancellor. Working title is Payroll Accountant.

https://www.sdccd.edu/docs/humanresources/classification/descriptions/Office%20Technical/District%20Office%20Accounting%20Specialist.pdf

Desired Qualifications

Experience & Knowledge

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) or Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
• Previous experience in payroll or accounting
• Thorough understanding of payroll taxes (federal, state, and local), benefits, and deductions
• Knowledge of various state and local payroll regulations, including tax rates

Technical Skills

• Attention to detail – payroll requires accuracy, so a high level of attention to detail is essential
• Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, formulas,VLOOKUP) is important for analyzing payroll data and reports
• A solid understanding of accounting principles and standards (e.g.,GAAP) for reconciling accounts and ensuring financial accuracy

Soft Skills

• Payroll processing involves handling large amounts of data, so being well-organized helps ensure everything runs smoothly
• Must communicate effectively with both employees and management, especially regarding payroll-related queries
• Ability to quickly identify and resolve discrepancies in payroll is vital
• Handle sensitive employee information; discretion and ethical conduct are key

Foreign Degree:Applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services(NACES)or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute,INC.(ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.

NACESLink: https://naces.org/

ACEILink: https://acei-global.org/evaluation-services/

Commitment to Diversity

All applicants must have demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and classified professionals.

EEO/ Diversity / Nondiscrimination – Policies and Procedures: https://www.sdccd.edu/departments/human-resources/eeo-diversity/policies-and-procedures.aspx

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), please submit only the materials specifically requested in this posting (e.g., no personal photos, articles, etc.). Be sure to upload the required documents using the respective document name labels. Uploading extraneous materials, unless explicitly requested, may result in your application not being reviewed. Only complete application packets will be forwarded to the committee.

Application materials sent via mail, fax, or email will not be accepted. All correspondence, including interview invitations, will be communicated via email.

We are dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of all inquiries, nominations, and applications in the strictest confidence, and we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Complete the online application, including examples and outcomes listed within the Duties section of your Employment History;Complete responses to the Supplemental Questions, including examples and outcomes;Resume;AND,Three (3) references included within the online application.

Tentative Timeline (Subject to Amendments)

Posting: Friday, August 21, 2026 (or sooner)

Closing: Open until filled

First “Soft” Closing: Monday, September 14, 2026

Orientation: Wednesday, September 16 at 11am

Screening: September 16 – 23 (on your own time)

Tally: Thursday, September 24 at 11am

First Interviews: Friday, October 2 from 8-5 (via Zoom)

2nd Interviews: Wednesday, October 7 (in person)

Projected start date: November 1, 2026

Conditions of Employment

SELECTEDCANDIDATEISREQUIREDTOCOMPLETETHEFOLLOWINGPRIORTOEMPLOYMENT: Submit “official” college transcripts as stated on application (even if a degree is not a requirement for this position);Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment);Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the District's expense (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment);Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States as required by the I9 Employment Eligibility Verification form;AND,Attend a new hire processing appointment in People, Culture, and Technology Services located at the District Administrative Offices

EMPLOYMENTAFTERRETIREMENT

If you accept a contract (permanent) position withSDCCDand are a retired annuitant with CalPERS or CalSTRS, you must reinstate from your retirement system. Please reference theCalPERSorCalSTRSwebsite for further information.

CalPERS Link: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/retirees/working-after-retirement/reinstatement-from-retirement

CalSTRS Link: https://www.calstrs.com/retirement-after-reinstatement-enhancements-faq

Additional Information

SDCCDprovides a comprehensive fringe benefit package for its full-time classified employees. The district contributes toward the cost of the premium (including dependent coverage) for the medical insurance plan options. Additional benefits include dental, vision, sick leave, vacation and opportunities for professional development. Contract employees become members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) upon appointment.100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision$50,000 employer paid group term life insurance16 paid holidays + winter recess offEducational incentiveTuition assistanceCalPERS pension plus 403B and 457B options available.

Posting Number

CL01946