Payroll Accounting Manager: Lead Payroll Compliance & Ops

Cal Poly Partners; San Luis Obispo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly Partners is seeking an experienced Payroll Accounting Manager to lead payroll operations for Cal Poly Partners and ASI, using Workday to process payroll for 150+ full-time and 1800+ student/part-time employees.

Reporting to the Controller, you will oversee payroll staff, ensure compliance with federal and California wage laws, and drive process improvements, internal controls, and efficient workflows while partnering with HR and Finance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of payroll experience, including at least three years running payroll in-house.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll operations, accounting practices, wage and hour requirements, and payroll tax compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex policies, laws, and regulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound management decisions.
• Experience managing and developing employees.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee comprehensive payroll services for Cal Poly Partners and ASI.
• Manage payroll staff, including recruitment, training, performance management, workload planning, and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and California wage and hour laws, tax requirements, and organizational policies.
• Oversee regular and off-cycle payroll processing, including termination payments and payroll adjustments.
• Approve payroll-related tax deposits, benefit remittances, garnishments, reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Oversee quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting, including W-2/W-2C processing and governmental filings.
• Lead payroll and timekeeping system operations, troubleshooting, improvements, and implementation initiatives.
• Analyze and improve payroll procedures, internal controls, and workflows.
• Support annual budgeting, account reconciliations, fiscal year-end activities, and audits.
• Partner with HR, Finance, campus departments, governmental agencies, auditors, and other stakeholders on payroll and accounting matters.

Skills

Payroll management

Supervisory experience

Payroll tax compliance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Timekeeping systems

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Workday

OSV (OneSource Virtual)

Job description

Cal Poly Partners is seeking an experienced Payroll Accounting Manager to lead payroll operations for Cal Poly Partners and ASI, using Workday to process payroll for 150+ full-time and 1800+ student/part-time employees.

Reporting to the Controller, you will oversee payroll staff, ensure compliance with federal and California wage laws, and drive process improvements, internal controls, and efficient workflows while partnering with HR and Finance teams.