J. Rowena Wadlund

Detail-oriented and analytical Corporate Payroll and Accounting Professional with over 9 years of comprehensive experience managing full-cycle payroll processing, complex budget reconciliations, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record of independently administering high-volume fiscal workflows, position control systems, and multi-tiered retirement contribution accounts. A strategic collaborator skilled at facilitating employee onboarding, navigating state and federal reporting parameters, and working alongside senior leadership.

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR - Rincon Research

(2024-04 - 2026-04)

• Executed and managed complex bi-weekly payroll operations utilizing ADP systems, accurately facilitating split payroll allocations and finalizing comprehensive timecard approvals.
• Calculated and submitted highly technical retirement plan contributions across distinct asset accounts, including ESOP, 401(k), ROTH, discretionary funds, and employee loans.
• Prepared and systematically integrated detailed journal entries into Costpoint to facilitate rigorous accounting and cash reconciliation processes.
• Coded, audited, and processed employee business expense reimbursements alongside corporate ACH disbursement distributions.
• Oversaw multi-tiered payroll account reconciliations to ensure complete alignment with ledger records.
• Served as the primary point of communication regarding proper timeline execution for timesheet procedures and the strategic rollout of company-wide 9/80 alternative work schedule changes.

ACCOUNTANT II - Coachella Valley Water District

(2023-06 - 2023-10)

• Processed and distributed structured bi-weekly corporate payroll, rigorously auditing electronic timecards and verifying specialized shift/overtime codes.
• Balanced and verified vendor accounts due per pay cycle, executing safe distributions via direct payouts or electronic ACH deposits.
• Computed annual merit-based salary escalations and coordinated complex lump-sum payouts for top-step employees.
• Conducted targeted regulatory research to successfully assemble and compile Special Compensation structural reports for CalPERS.

BUDGET SPECIALIST - Desert Sands Unified School District

(2022-11 - 2023-06)

• Maintained and processed position control records across all permanent, provisional, and substitute institutional personnel.
• Collaborated closely with departmental directors and district administrators to align staffing allocations and fiscal metrics against student enrollment dynamics.
• Generated complex state and federal documentation, including quarterly and year-end tax statements, workers' compensation allocations, and standard labor statistics logs.

PAYROLL SPECIALIST - Desert Sands Unified School District

(2020-11 - 2022-11)

• Processed and distributed high-volume technical payroll distributions twice monthly, executing precise manual data entry for employee attendance records and timesheets.
• Analyzed, audited, and maintained strict ledger oversight to guarantee precise allocations across designated vendor accounts.
• Independently prioritized and executed highly technical and detailed accounting cycles without requiring direct day-to-day supervision.

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN - Desert Sands Unified School District

(2017-03 - 2020-10)

• Monitored and systematically balanced comprehensive department budgets to provide leadership with data-driven insights necessary for operational decision-making.
• Maintained absolute compliance with GAAP while facilitating essential accounting functions, including purchase requisitions, direct vendor payouts, expense claims, and official travel/conference documentation.
• Coded complex budget charges to match rigorous state justification parameters, tracking separate fund totals across distinct institutional lines.
• Advised cross-departmental team leaders on best practices to ensure internal data submissions cleanly achieved rigid budget cycle deadlines.
• Conducted interactive new employee orientations to communicate organization-wide guidelines, structured payroll mechanics, and healthcare/disability leave benefits.

Associate of Science (AS) - Accounting & General Business - College of the Desert

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - Fine Arts - University of Arizona