Payroll Accounting Manager

Who we are: CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California 50 years ago, our roots now span the breadth of North America, and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

Position Summary: 

CCOF is expanding our accounting team! We are looking for a Payroll Accounting Manager to oversee and manage all payroll functions and employee benefits accounting activities for CCOF, Inc., and its affiliated organizations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery. This role is essential in maintaining smooth payroll operations and providing high-quality support to our staff.

If you have experience managing California based payroll, maintaining payroll compliance, and collaborating across teams in a dynamic organization, we encourage you to apply. Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, and commitment to excellent service are key to success in this role.

This is a full-time, salary exempt position that reports to the Finance Director. This is a Santa Cruz, California-based hybrid position but will consider fully remote work for the right candidate.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly, multi-state payroll, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations. 
• Manage all accounting functions related to payroll and employee benefits accounting.  
• Administer the 401(k) plan, ensuring adherence to plan rules and regulatory requirements.  
• Partner with the Accounting and Human Resources leadership team to assess, recommend, and implement process improvements in payroll and benefit plan accounting and administration. 
  
  

 

Specific duties 

• Process semi-monthly, multi-state payroll for CCOF's multiple nonprofit affiliated organizations.  
• Calculate and process intercompany payroll cost reimbursements.  
• Manage multi-state payroll tax account registration process and all payroll related account filings.  
• Train junior staff members on payroll support tasks. 
• Serve as employees' lead point of contact for payroll inquiries.  
• Collaborate with Human Resources staff to ensure accurate payroll deductions for employee benefit plans (HSA, FSA, medical, 401k, health and life insurance, etc.)  
• Collaborate with Human Resources staff to coordinate benefits and payroll for employees on leave. 
• Manage employee enrollments and compliance testing for HSA and FSA benefits plans.  
• Reconcile employee benefits, plan bills and work with insurance broker and carriers to resolve discrepancies. 
• Track and reconcile staff PTO balances. 
• Record payroll and benefits transactions in the general ledger.  
• Maintain and update documentation of payroll procedures.  
• Track and manage ACA reporting and employee benefits eligibility. 
• Manage 401k plan administration activities including payroll deductions, participant communications, compliance testing and annual 401k audit.  
• Advise senior management on payroll-related matters and policies. 
• Collaborate with other accounting management staff on payroll-related process and system improvements. 
• Complete other payroll and employee benefits accounting tasks as needed.  
  
  

 

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of accounting experience, including at least 5 years of experience using payroll/HRIS software systems to process payroll for California based employees. 
• 2+ years of experience with general ledger accounting. 
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to manage payroll in compliance with California employment laws and regulations. 
• Communication skills: Professional written and verbal communication. Clearly and concisely communicates complex information including procedures, benefits policies, and audit documentation. Able to communicate effectively with internal teams and external vendors. 
• Highly organized, motivated and detail oriented: Outstanding skills to prioritize, monitor and track activities. Works independently and manages time effectively to complete tasks efficiently, accurately, and within established deadlines. Asks for help when needed. Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them.  
• Teamwork: Actively contributes to the team to complete tasks, meet goals or projects. Actively listens to coworkers, respects ideas, and aims to improve processes at hand.  
• Commitment to anti-discrimination and employee well-being: Ability to work and cooperate effectively with diverse groups of people, demographics and communication styles to foster an effective work environment.  
• Computer skills: Proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.  
  
  

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or higher in related field. 
• Experience working in a non-profit organization. 
• Experience administering multi-state payroll. 
• Prior experience with Paycom HRIS system. 
• Prior experience with QuickBooks or NetSuite accounting systems. 
• Experience with employee benefits administration, including 401k plan administration. 
• Understanding of ACA compliance. 
• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams.  
  
  

 

Supervisory Responsibilities or Key Relationships:

• This role does not have formal supervisory responsibilities but may mentor or train other staff members in payroll related tasks.  
  
  

 

Physical and Travel Requirements:

• This position may involve occasional opportunities to travel domestically for staff events. Travel opportunities for this position are generally optional and are not expected to exceed approximately 5 days per year. 
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer  
  
  

 

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Payroll Accounting Manager's starting salary range will be $82,365 – $95,000 and will depend on qualifications and experience.

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications
• Current resume
• List of three professional references
  
  

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize community, well-being, and belonging, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute, develop and succeed. We encourage people with various talents and experience to apply.

Community-building is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about cultivating and sustaining a work environment where all employees can thrive. We believe every member of our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world.