Senior Payroll Specialist; Part-Time

Position: Senior Payroll Specialist (Part-Time)
About Us Description About  Us

At Beewise, we develop and operate autonomous robotic beehives that actively protect and support bee colonies, enabling sustainable pollination and revolutionizing agri-tech. We combine robotics, AI, and environmental tech to bring precision to the heart of nature.

About

The Role

The Payroll Specialist owns getting Beewise's people paid correctly and on time. You'll run payroll, review timesheets, calculate commissions, process per diems, and handle payroll tax and year-end work, partnering closely with the Director of Finance and People Operations.

We pay about 50 US employees through our PEO (Tri Net) and 2 Canadian employees through PEO Canada, and may add employees in Mexico through an Employer of Record. Our workforce includes nonexempt field crews, exempt office staff, and commissioned sales roles, paid on both biweekly and semi-monthly schedules.

This is a hands-on, part-time role for someone who knows payroll inside and out, works accurately under deadlines, and is comfortable owning a recurring calendar.

Key Responsibilities Payroll Processing

• Prepare and submit biweekly payroll for hourly employees and semi-monthly payroll for salaried employees in Tri Net
• Coordinate payroll inputs and changes with PEO Canada and, if needed, our Mexico EOR, and confirm results are accurate
• Enter payroll changes for new hires, terminations, pay changes, bonuses, and commissions based on approved documentation from People Operations
• Run pre- and post-payroll audits and reconcile Tri Net invoices and payroll registers before submitting for Director of Finance approval
• Answer employee payroll questions promptly and professionally

Timesheet Review

• Review nonexempt timesheets for missed punches, overtime, double time, meal and rest period premiums, PTO, and other exceptions
• Resolve timesheet issues with managers before payroll deadlines
• Apply multi-state wage-and-hour rules correctly, including California daily overtime and employees temporarily working in other states

Per Diems and Reimbursements

• Process per diems and expense reimbursements for field crews and traveling employees based on approved policy and documentation
• Apply accountable plan rules so per diems and reimbursements are treated correctly as taxable or non-taxable

Sales Commissions

• Calculate monthly commission and broker payouts based on signed, approved commission plans
• Maintain commission tracking schedules and supporting documentation
• Flag plan questions or exceptions to the Director of Finance and People Operations rather than interpreting plan terms independently

Contractor Payments and 1099s

• Process payments to independent contractors and brokers based on approved invoices and agreements
• Collect and maintain W-9s, track 1099-reportable payments, and prepare year-end 1099s
• Route any questions about contractor classification to People Operations rather than deciding them independently

Payroll Tax and Compliance

• Research and resolve payroll tax notices from federal, state, local, and Canadian agencies, working with Tri Net and PEO Canada
• Track new work states as employees travel or relocate, and coordinate tax setup and withholding through Tri Net
• Keep current on payroll tax and wage-and-hour changes that affect our employees and flag them to the Director of Finance and People Operations

Month-End Close and Year-End

• Prepare payroll and commission journal entries and accruals for month-end close
• Reconcile payroll accounts to the general ledger each month
• Review Tri Net and PEO Canada year-end data (W-2s, T4s) and support year-end payroll reconciliation
• Provide payroll documentation for annual audits

Systems, Automation, and AI

• Use AI tools to speed up timesheet review and reconciliations, with review steps that protect accuracy and confidentiality
• Keep payroll procedures documented so the work can be covered during absences

Confidentiality and Controls

• Handle employee compensation and personal information with discretion
• Follow approval controls: the Director of Finance approves all payroll registers, commission payouts, and off-cycle payments

Compensation

The pay range for this role in California is $42 to $54 per hour. Final pay depends on experience, skills, and location.

Requirements

• 5+ years of hands-on payroll processing for hourly and salaried employees, including timesheet review and exception handling
• Strong working knowledge of California wage-and-hour rules, including daily overtime, double time, and meal and rest period premiums (required)
• Multi-state payroll…