Ralph M Garcia
LA,CA
Summary
Versatile manager with background in coordinating diverse teams and managing complex projects. Skilled in strategic planning, operational improvement, and fostering collaborative environments. Demonstrated ability to enhance efficiency and productivity while maintaining high standards of quality. Successfully implemented innovative solutions that resulted in positive organizational changes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Manager, Payroll
Divergent
Torrance, Ca
08.2022 - Current
- Lead hiring, training, and development of the Regional Payroll and Benefits operations team, responsible for payroll and benefits delivery, tax compliance, and adherence to local regulations
- Lead system implementation with a strong focus on process optimization, user experience, and change management
- Ensure projects are delivered accurately, timely, and compliantly
- Effectively manage payroll and benefits vendors by strictly adhering to contracts and optimization of service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Develop relationships with local government authorities, including Social Security, Tax Agencies, etc
- Manage legal and compliance audits such as income taxes, statutory social securities, benefits audits, and more
- Act as the primary point-of-contact for the Americas payroll team, Human Resource Business Partners, HR Operations, and other cross-functional teams to continually optimize our operational efficiency and employee experience
- Coordinate and manage the 'Shareworks' stock options system
Director, Payroll
MedMen
Culver City, Ca
05.2021 - 05.2022
- Direct project management responsibility for payroll enhancement projects, including coordination with Information Services, Human Resources, Legal, and Accounting/Finance organizations
- Ensure proper reviews are in place for payroll output from payroll vendor
- This include all payroll inputs are accurately captured
- Includes but not limited to performing payroll analysis such as total gross payroll to net payment, average paid per headcount by business unit, and comparison of analysis to prior period, etc
- Senior executive interface and presentation of payroll related issues, including responsibility for payroll law compliance within company adopted guidelines
- Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of all payroll policies, objectives, and short/long-term planning
- Maintain effective internal controls for the payroll function and proactively work with management to identify process improvements and gaps
- Responsible for Executive Compensation analyses and perquisite reporting from payroll data
- Oversees preparation of Executive Compensation summaries
- Manages relationship with outside vendors of payroll services including negotiation of contracts and agreements in conjunction with the Treasurer and CFO
- Responsible for special projects related to payroll services and financial controls, including inter-departmental and intercompany coordination
- Responsible for identification and documentation of enhancements to improve pay services efficiency and cost effectiveness
VP, Payroll Operations
MUFG Union Bank
Monterey Park, Ca
11.2018 - 09.2020
- Responsible for supervising the daily payroll processing functions for a large multi-state payroll department
- Oversees on and off-cycle payroll processing, related payroll controls, and policies and procedures
- Provides guidance over the work being performed by the Payroll Processing Specialists and other staff as assigned
- Responsible for providing work direction for the daily payroll processing for a large multi-state financial institution
- Ensure that all payroll entries are processed in a compliant manner and that proper controls are followed
- Review payroll output for accuracy and timeliness
- Provide guidance, work direction and prioritization of daily workload for staff; resolve Payroll issues escalated above the analyst level
- Provide guidance regarding liens and garnishments
- Verify payroll calculations for various groups
- Build and foster customer relationships with key business partners
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable legislation related to paycheck preparation
- Work cooperatively and jointly to ensure team provides quality customer service
- Conduct audits to validate internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance with policies, practices and regulations related to payroll
- Provide training and conduct meetings to inform payroll employees of new developments or work procedures
- Lead discussions for payroll processing activities, new policies or procedures
- Continuously review payroll processes for improvements to streamline work processes
- Participate on payroll process improvement teams; evaluate current processes and procedures, identify opportunities for improvement, develop new processes / procedures, implement and assess impact of change
- Coordinate activities supporting required payroll and benefit related audits
- Serve as a liaison to other departments to implement initiatives that have a multi-department impact
- Other related duties and responsibilities as required
Interim-Payroll Manager
Grill Concepts Services Inc.
Woodland Hills, Ca
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Update & maintain payroll and benefit plan databases via HRIS system and vendor sites
- Analyze and audit payroll and benefits deductions against G/L for accuracy
- Oversee payment of incentives, bonuses and commissions via payroll software
- Ensure compliance with all wage withholding orders, current wage/hour laws & ERISA
- Perform specialized reporting related to payroll and employee benefit functions
- Perform reconciliation and certification of HR bank and G/L accounts for Accounting Department
- Compile data for benefit compliance audits, including Worker’s Compensation, 5500 and DOL audits
Payroll Manager
VCA
Los Angeles, Ca
12.2017 - 06.2018
- Project lead of Workday implementation
- Managed a team of 12 with a successful bi-weekly payroll for 25K+ employees US
- And Canada
- Provided payroll training in Ceridian and Dayforce timekeeping system for all acquired hospitals
- Identify process improvement and develop plans to implement
- Oversees process improvements to ensure efficient and accurate payroll processing, payroll tax reporting, payroll accounting, and record retention
- Research laws and regulations regarding payroll taxes and payroll withholding procedures, and in preparing projections, and special reports for management
- Prepare Tax filing adjustments to employees when necessary (W-2, W-2C)
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws and internal policies
Global Payroll Manager/Contract
Ring
Santa Monica, Ca
09.2017 - 12.2017
- Manage payroll process, end to end for Payroll working with Trinet, field Managers and Human Resources
- Work with cross functional teams to create project plans for Payroll projects
- Schedule and facilitate meetings with project teams to review project tasks for status, changes to resourcing, skills, etc
- And follow-up with notes and action items
- Manage global payroll requirements i.e., headcount, calendars, legal entities, legal requirements, systems used, etc
- Developed and implemented payroll strategies focused on accomplishing the organization’s payroll processing objectives
Global Payroll Implementation Manager/Contract
Snapchat
Venice, Ca
03.2017 - 06.2017
- Prepare Payroll Setup Questionnaire for international implementation
- Work with third party global vendors on timelines to ensure go live dates are on target
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of the Company’s payroll in all countries and that payroll services are processed in accordance with established global policies and procedures along with all legislative compliance requirements (including tax and labor laws)
- Develop and implement best practices, key performance indicators and SLA metrics for department
- Audit payroll results received from third party vendors to ensure accuracy
- Generate payroll reports to support the business
- Track new hires, terminations, and employee changes and audit accuracy for respective country payroll results
- Ensure direct deposit and tax details are established for new employees
- Prepare LPI, Master Data, Payment electives
- Generate payroll reports to support the business
- Manage relationships with Snap stakeholders who may be remote or based in different time zones
- Support internal projects to migrate third party payroll providers to integrated solutions with Workday partners
- Prepare and maintain International payroll process documentation
Payroll Consultant/Contract
TRUECar
Santa Monica, Ca
10.2016 - 03.2017
- Prepare and process full cycle in-house semi-monthly multi-state payroll for 750+ employees through Workday
- Prepare off cycle and year end payrolls to amended W-2 reporting
- Run Workday All Time Blocks report, verify hours are reasonable based on the number of work days in the pay period
- Advise the HR team of any exceptions with the timecard reporting
- Perform special entry adjustments for all types of payroll related transactions (i.e
- New hire, termination, leave of absence, garnishments, etc.) into payroll system
- Prepare and create standard and ad hoc reports in Workday Tenant
- Generate Workday Outbound 401K file following the completion of payroll
- Verify the totals tie to payroll register prior to submission to third party administrator
- Assist the Benefits Manager with 401K Non-Discrimination testing and annual audit process
- Assist HR Team with Workers Compensation reporting for annual audit
- Generate Workday Time off accrual report, identify and verify any variances
- Adjust errors and respond to payroll related questions or issues in a timely manner
- Assist employees with questions regarding pay issues pertaining to timesheet, vacation balance, benefits, etc
- Respond to and liaise with State and Federal and or local government institutions on tax notices
- Manage and administrate business registration process for new States and Localities for payroll tax accounts
- Research, analyze, resolve, and communicate any payroll discrepancies in a timely manner
- Maintain relationships with third party payroll processing vendors to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Audit each payroll for accuracy and ensure timely processing
- Partner with third party tax service provider to ensure timely reconciliation and review of quarterly and yearend tax filings
- Maintain company payroll files and ensure compliance with all payroll rules, regulations, and that internal controls are maintained
- Assist with the testing for Workday releases and new
Payroll/Human Resource Director
VER
Glendale, CA
09.2015 - 09.2016
- Assist with the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the UltiPro Payroll system
- Reviewed personnel records to determine names, rates of pay, occupations of new hires, and changes in wage rates and occupations of employees on payroll
- Managed the payroll function of processing timecards, compiling payroll statistics, maintaining payroll control records, recording hours of work, and calculating payrolls
- Developed and implemented methods and procedures for monitoring work activities, such as preparation of records of expenditures, progress reports, etc., in order to inform management of current status or work activities
- Analyzed department budget to identify budget needs and/or reductions, and may allocate operating budgets funds
- Reviewed and approved payroll deductions, interprets company policies and government regulations in connection with payroll procedures, and directs preparation of government reports
- Managed and coordinated activities of multiple payroll systems and/or payroll supervisors at different locations
- Recruited, hire, train staff, evaluate employee performance, and recommend or initiate promotions, transfers, and disciplinary action
- Analyzed and test payroll software updates
- Interpreted company policy to employees and enforces safety regulations
Education
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
La Mirada, Ca03.2011
B.A. - Accounting
University of Phoenix
La Mirada, Ca01.2008
Skills
- Windows 81
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- Outlook
- Oracle Financials
- Platinum
- Crystal
- H/R Advantage
- Great Plains Contracts Financial Database
- UltiPro
- Workday
- ADP Workforce Now, HRB
- ReportSmith
- IReports
- Paychex
- DayForce/Ceridian
- E-Time
- EZ-Labor
- Kronos
- Strategic planning
- Troubleshooting and problem resolution
- Human resources management
- Cross-functional team leadership
Timeline
Sr. Manager, Payroll
Divergent
08.2022 - Current
Director, Payroll
MedMen
05.2021 - 05.2022
VP, Payroll Operations
MUFG Union Bank
11.2018 - 09.2020
Interim-Payroll Manager
Grill Concepts Services Inc.
05.2018 - 07.2018
Payroll Manager
VCA
12.2017 - 06.2018
Global Payroll Manager/Contract
Ring
09.2017 - 12.2017
Global Payroll Implementation Manager/Contract
Snapchat
03.2017 - 06.2017
Payroll Consultant/Contract
TRUECar
10.2016 - 03.2017
Payroll/Human Resource Director
VER
09.2015 - 09.2016
Master of Business Administration -
University of Phoenix
B.A. - Accounting
University of Phoenix
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