Payroll Tax Specialist

Reporting to the Shared Services-Payroll Director, this role is responsible for supporting all functions related to payroll accounting, reporting, and tax compliance across the organization. The Payroll Tax Specialist will work closely with the VP of Shared Services, as well as teams in Risk Management and Human Resources, to ensure smooth payroll processes and full compliance with regulatory standards.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrate Organizational Values: Promote, demonstrate, and embody the organization’s core culture in all business activities.
• Payroll Accounting: Perform various accounting, auditing, analysis, and reporting tasks related to payroll functions.
• Standardization: Assist in centralizing standards for payroll tax functions to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Process Improvement: Support the Payroll Director in managing projects aimed at improving processes and implementing best practices.

Shared Services – Payroll Tax and Reporting Responsibilities

• Tax Compliance & Reporting:
• Reconcile and resolve discrepancies for quarterly and annual filings, including Form W-2s, between ERP systems, ADP, and in-house calculations.
• Ensure accurate unemployment tax rate setups for each state within ERP systems.
• Perform tax-related steps during weekly payroll processes in collaboration with the payroll team.
• Audit & Reconciliation:
• Track and monitor payroll tax deposits, payments, and returns prepared by ADP to ensure compliance.
• Reconcile quarterly Form 941 filings to general ledger postings.
• Conduct regular audits to maintain compliance with payroll tax regulations.
• Documentation & Analysis:
• Develop comprehensive and user-friendly documentation for payroll tax processes.
• Prepare and analyze payroll data to assist in maintaining earnings, deductions, tax codes, and mapping tables.
• Reconcile payroll journals with the general ledger.
• Support & Coordination:
• Provide customer service support to management for reporting issues.
• Assist the Payroll Director and VP of Shared Services in preparing schedules and compiling documentation for quarterly reviews and year-end external audits.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Technical Skills:
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to develop and maintain custom reports
• Communication:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact with all organizational levels.
• Excellent customer service responsiveness and issue-resolution capabilities.
• Organization & Leadership:
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong proofing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team.
• Problem-Solving:
• Strong critical thinking and conflict resolution skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance preferred.
• CPP preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 5 in payroll or one to five years in general accounting working in a company with a high volume of payroll processing and reporting.