Payroll and Accounting Specialist

Richmond, CA

Full Time

Mid Level

Compensation: $87,875 – $95,000 / year (Based on Experience) + Full Benefits

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Year-Round

Location: Richmond, CA (On-Site)

Job Function: Finance & Business Operations

When you join Making Waves Academy (MWA), you’re joining a team dedicated to moving the world forward.

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.

What You’ll Be Doing

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 & Benefits Administration: Manage monthly CalSTRS retirement reporting and reconciliations. Handle employee benefit plan enrollments, tracking, and contribution remittances.
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.
HR & Operations Collaboration: Partner closely with People Operations to maintain clean employee data and generate functional reporting (leave balances, overtime, headcount).

What We’re Looking For

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Making Waves Academy is an equal opportunity employer. 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.

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Looking back at your entire professional journey, identify the one personal or professional moment that most clearly defined your current career trajectory and instilled in you the belief that working at Making Waves Academy for historically underrepresented students is the critical next step in your life’s work. How does this moment prove that you are uniquely motivated to be an indispensable part of our community and mission?*

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Join the Wave: Careers at Making Waves Academy

Welcome to the career page for Making Waves Academy (MWA), a free, public charter school in Richmond, California.

We are more than a school; we are a powerful system committed to rigorously preparing students with the education, career skills, and financial freedom needed to meet their goals and thrive.

If you are mission-driven and dedicated to closing the achievement gap, you belong on our team.

Why MWA is an Exceptional Place to Work

Our culture and integrated model ensure you can make the deepest possible impact while building your own thriving career:

Life-Changing Impact: Work directly with students who achieve phenomenal results. We boast a 100% A-G completion rate and a college graduation rate of 76% (far surpassing national peers).

Growth-Oriented Culture: We invest in your development through dedicated professional learning and collaborative structures. You'll find a supportive, diverse team culture committed to continuous improvement.

Competitive Compensation: We offer a highly competitive salary scale and comprehensive benefits, recognizing the excellence and dedication required to achieve our extraordinary mission.

Ready to make a lasting difference in the lives of our Wave-Makers? Explore our open positions below!

Payroll and Accounting Specialist

Compensation: $87,875 – $95,000 / year (Based on Experience) + Full Benefits

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