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Payroll & Benefits Specialist
Ocean Wise
Accounting & Finance
Canada
CAD 64k-71,500 / year
Posted on Mar 24, 2026
We need the ocean. The ocean needs us.
Role Summary
As the Payroll & Benefits Specialist, you will be responsible for the timely and effective processing of all payroll (salaried and hourly) and benefits related tasks and transactions. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will participate as an active member of the Finance Team by leading the communication of Ocean Wise’s benefits plans, and payroll and benefits related policies and procedures. You will work closely with the Human Resources team with respect to sharing of employee information, hires, departures, status changes, etc.
Who You Are
You are an organized, detail-oriented payroll and benefits professional with an interest in conservation and sustainability. You have a strong foundation in payroll processing, reconciliation, and reporting, bringing both precision and accountability to every cycle. You are a trusted partner across HR and Finance, known for your discretion, analytical mindset and proactive approach to strengthen systems and the overall employee experience.
What You Will Be Doing
Payroll Processing and Compliance Management
- Preparing and processing accurate bi-weekly payroll information, including review of timesheets for accuracy with vacation, overtime and statutory holiday schedules;
- Preparing related accounting journal entries and reconciling payroll related general ledger accounts in a timely and accurate manner;
- Preparing all (bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual) payroll related remittances reports and entries (e.g. CRA remittances, RRSP, Pension, CSB, etc);
- Ensuring schedules and/or tables in system are updated in accordance with any legislation, policies, rate changes, etc, communicating and liaising with system service provider if required for support;
- Preparing Records of Employment for terminated, reduced hours or leave of absence purposes;
- Updating and maintaining the HRIS system with any new hires, employee changes, leaves, terminations, etc. to ensure accurate and current reporting, including reviewing and processing approved changes to salaries, benefits eligibility/costs and employment status;
- Ensuring compliance with all provincial and federal regulations as it pertains to statutory tax deductions and Work Safe BC, Ontario and other provinces.
Benefits Coordination
- Ensuring enrollment, terminations and updates occur regularly to group benefits programs including MSP, Group Health & Group RRSP plans;
- Sending monthly active employee lists to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider;
- Preparing monthly reconciliation reports for group benefits programs, identifying discrepancies and correcting any gaps or missing deductions;
- Preparing and processing annual rate changes to benefits and associated impacts to deductions, etc.;
- Proactively communicating with employees on STD, LTD, Maternity Leave or other leaves with respect to the impact on their benefits and how to continue contributions if they remain active on the plans;
- Assisting employees with any claim issues and questions if escalation is required beyond GroupHealth call centre;
- Coordinating benefits orientation with the HR team through new employee orientation and/or follow up meetings if required following distribution of enrollment instructions for benefits eligible employees;
- Participating in benefits initiatives in the areas of process development, improvements, renewals, etc.
Finance Support
- Ensuring HR processes and procedures are adhered to as they relate to payroll & benefits;
- Ensuring employee records are accurate, confidential and reported on in a timely manner;
- Updating and maintaining the The Reef intranet as a reliable resource for both managers and employees on payroll, benefit eligibility and benefit programs; directing them to The Reef when questions arise;
- Ensuring key payroll metrics are captured and reported on in a regular and timely manner. Assisting with the financial management of payroll & benefits by identifying trends and/or irregularities in cost and/or usage of various programs and recommending actions to address;
- Researches best practices and Payroll & Benefits trends and provides recommendations to continuously improve;
- Assists with the development and delivery of goals, objectives, projects and initiatives in the Finance plan;
- Delivering lunch & learn session to employees on payroll & benefits related topics;
- Other Finance Administration support as required.
What You Bring
- Extensive experience in payroll processing and benefits administration.
- Demonstrated experience in payroll and benefit reconciliation.
- Valid Canadian Payroll Association certification required.
- Intermediate to advanced level in Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Demonstrated analytical, organizational and problem solving skills.
- Detail oriented and accurate in execution, ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop strong working relationships at all levels within an organization.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work with a high-degree of discretion and tact, ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Assets include:
- Background in accounting.
- Post-secondary education in Business, Human Resources Management or related discipline.
- Experience with UltiPro (UKG)
How You Will Be Measured
- Payroll is processed on time with a high degree of accuracy, with minimal errors or off-cycle adjustments required.
- All payroll-related remittances, filings, and Records of Employment (ROE) are completed accurately and on time, with no compliance issues or audit findings.
- Payroll-related journal entries and general ledger reconciliations are completed accurately and within established timelines, with discrepancies identified and resolved promptly.
- Employee enrollments, updates, and terminations are processed accurately and in a timely manner, with regular reconciliations completed and discrepancies addressed quickly.
- Employee and payroll data within the HRIS systems is consistently up to date, accurate, and reflective of all employment changes.
- Payroll and benefits inquiries are responded to in a timely, clear, and supportive manner, contributing to a positive employee experience.
- Opportunities to enhance payroll and benefits processes are proactively identified and implemented, improving efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
- Key payroll and benefits metrics are tracked an reported regularly, with trends and anomalies identified and communicated to support financial decision-making.
- Internal resources, such as The Reef, are maintained as accurate and accessible tools, and training or information sessions are delivered to improve employee understanding of payroll and benefits programs.
What We Offer
This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers:
- A remote-first working environment with the option to work in person at co-working spaces as allotted.
- A base salary, $64,000 - 71,500, in line with market data for not-for-profit organizations
- Benefits coverage on a premium cost-shared basis, including
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- $300 Health spending account
- Group term and supplemental life insurance
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- RRSP matching of up to 6% after one year of service
- 15 paid vacation days to start
- 10 paid sick days,
- 2 wellness days
- 12 paid Statutory and General Holidays each calendar year
- An annual all-staff retreat to allow in-person connections and team building
- Professional development opportunities
- The opportunity to be part of a team that’s helping to save the ocean!
Where and How You’ll Work
This is a remote-first position with the possibility to work at our headquarters in downtown Vancouver, or other-coworking space allotted, if desired. The standard work week for this role is 37.5 hours, Monday through Friday, with rare exceptions for some evening or weekend work.
Who We Are
Ocean Wise is a global conversation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Learn more about us at ocean.org.
Inclusion and Diversity
At Ocean Wise, we believe that a welcoming and diverse workplace fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving groups and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. We value human connection and fairness in our recruitment process. We do not use AI, algorithms, or automated tools to screen or evaluate candidates. All applications are reviewed by our hiring team to ensure each candidate is considered thoughtfully and equitably.