Job Title: Payroll Accountant

Department/Fund: Financial Management

Entity: CCF

FLSA Status: Exempt

Updated as of: April 11, 2026

Reports to: Controller

Organizational Background:

Fifty years ago, civil rights leader Cesar Chavez ignited a movement that would transform communities by championing the rights of farmworkers. Today, the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) carries on Cesar’s legacy by growing and adapting into a successful group of high-performing social enterprises that support Latinos and working families and inspiring and transforming cross-generational communities from rural to urban areas. It serves over one million individuals through housing and economic development, education, broadcast communications and the National Chavez Center (NCC). With more than 300 employees across five states, CCF addresses crucial needs of our community, while remaining sustainable, strategic and fiscally responsible.

Position Summary:

The Payroll Accountant supports the Foundation’s mission by ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing across multiple entities and properties. This role is responsible for payroll reconciliations, balance sheet account integrity, and the allocation (rebilling) of payroll costs to properties and programs. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with a commitment to serving a mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process and review payroll to ensure accurate and timely employee compensation in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and internal policies.
• Stay informed of annual changes in State, Federal, and local payroll laws, rate changes,  and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Perform monthly payroll reconciliations, including wages, payroll taxes, benefits, and other payroll-related accounts.
• Reconcile and maintain payroll-related balance sheet accounts, researching and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Prepare and post journal entries for payroll, accruals, and related adjustments.
• Manage payroll rebilling to properties and programs, ensuring labor costs are accurately allocated across multiple entities and funding sources.
• Partner with HR, property management, and program teams to validate payroll data, employee classifications, and cost distributions.
• Analyze payroll variances and provide clear explanations to management.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes related to payroll.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including filings and reporting.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing payroll schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Perform annual Workers Compensation audit
• Contribute to continuous improvement of payroll processes and internal controls.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of in-house payroll processing and accounting or general ledger experience.
• Strong understanding of payroll accounting, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Experience with balance sheet reconciliations and multi-entity allocations.
• Proficiency in Excel and payroll/accounting systems (e.g., Acumatica).
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in nonprofit, affordable housing, or multi-entity environments