Job Description:

Under the direction of the Payroll Tax Manager, the Payroll Tax Analyst performs bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual Payroll Tax reconciliations. Operational tasks in a variety of complex Payroll Tax functions to validate timely and accurate Payroll Tax withholdings and payments for Federal, State and Local requirements are also performed. This position supports a large North America division of the company and requires comprehensive knowledge of Payroll, Payroll Tax, technical and communication skills, functional and transactional audits of electronic data, as well as experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal/external customers. This is a high-volume Payroll center located in Santa Monica, California. The Payroll Tax Analyst effectively supports the Payroll Tax Operational timelines to ensure Payroll Tax compliancy, accuracy and timeliness.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers Payroll Tax operational best practices with regards to bi-weekly functions
• Supports Payroll Tax Service Provider activity to ensure timely and accurate Payroll Tax payments and filings with the appropriate federal, state, and local agencies including but not limited to federal tax withholding, state withholding, unemployment tax, 941’s, 940’s, W-2’s, W-3, annual state filings, and employee wage reports
• Performs both recurring and on-demand Payroll Tax audits, identifies variances and corrects promptly as necessary
• Performs bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual Payroll Tax reconciliations
• Communicates, tracks, supports Payroll Tax Service Provider to resolve tax agency issues or notices promptly
• Supports team and co-worker requests/questions for Payroll Tax reports or Payroll Tax inquiries
• Supports and/or Leads in the preparation and presentation of Quarterly and Annual Payroll Tax reconciliation process to department management
• Validates company-wide pre and post Payroll Tax processes in accordance to departmental internal controls and standards and in compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws
• Supports and/or Leads setting up Payroll Operations with new tax jurisdictions (foreign and domestic) including the assignment of tax ID numbers, confirming funding process, clarifying approval process, developing audits, and documenting processing procedures
• Supports Payroll Operations with validation review/approval of Adjustment transactions (Current and Prior Period)
• Documents and maintains Payroll Tax operation workflows and work procedures
• Supports and participates in the following audits: Annual 401k audit and Worker’s Compensation Audit, and works with internal and external auditors to gather information/documents, review processes, schedule meetings, resolve issues, and ensure any gaps are remedied
• Participates in providing training and cross-training to Payroll Operations staff in all aspects of Payroll Tax matters including new tax initiatives with an emphasis of establishing best practices
• Supports and/or Leads Payroll Tax Operations and supports Payroll Operations with Month-End, Quarter-End and Year-End Payroll tasks and projects
• Daily review and handling of Payroll department cases (as related to Payroll Tax matters) via Company’s case management system
• Partners with Payroll Operations and Payroll Systems on the research and resolution of Payroll Tax GL issues for Accounting
• Processing/Validation of all Payroll Tax related transactions including but not limited to; new hires tax set-up, termination payments, taxability of benefit deductions, Federal/State/Local tax withholdings, Supplemental Income taxation, Taxable Fringe benefits, Visa tax exemptions, etc.
• Supports Payroll Operations with full On-cycle/Supplemental/Adjustment/Quarter-End/Year-End/On-Demand Payroll processing as necessary including Payroll Open, Payroll Imports, Full execution of HR system Interfaces, Payroll Balancing, Payroll Entries, Payroll Income/Deduction/Tax Calculation, prompt correction of errors, Expat Payroll, Payroll Close and Post Payroll Processes as needed
• Designated back-up for timely and accurate reporting of approved manual checks into company’s bank portal for Positive Pay processing
• Creates and runs/prepares standard and ad hoc reports using the company’s reporting tools
• Partners with Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Tax, Operations and other departments to ensure exceptional Payroll Tax Operations accuracy and timeliness
• Stays current and maintains applicable Payroll Tax compliance knowledge by reviewing and studying professional publications as well as completing Payroll Tax educational courses annually and as requested by department management
• Reviews tax related communications, forwards to 3rd party vendor for research, tracks progress with 3rd party vendor, coordinates with internal resources to gather information, and works with 3rd party vendor to resolve
• Archiving and proper record-keeping of Payroll Tax supporting documents both electronic and hard copies
• Opens and tracks tickets/cases with Payroll vendor for production issues and process improvements
• Ability to promptly identify, resolve and properly communicate potential complex Payroll Tax issues
• Exercises good written and verbal communication skills to ensure customer service standards are delivered
• Prepares and sends certain information to internal and external parties as required
• Assists employees with questions regarding Payroll Tax issues and interpreting, and applying Payroll Tax laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Assists with other Payroll related special projects, including internal and external audit requests
• Supports Payroll shared service management team with preparation of documents, timelines and deliverables
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent problem solving/judgment skills, and high level of attention to detail and accuracy
• Supports Payroll Operations (including Supervisor) and Payroll Director with other tasks/projects as requested/needed
• Suggest and assist in implementing Process Improvement measures
• Ensures the integrity of the Payroll Operations

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years minimum in a Payroll Office performing Payroll Tax processing functions.
• Experience in a high volume, multi-entity, multi-state, Payroll shared service-based environment.
• Knowledge of state and federal wage and tax laws and overtime requirements.
• Proven customer service skills while maintaining a confidential work environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate information to employees and management.
• Ability to positively and collaboratively work in a team environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion.
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to perform physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the company’s existing Payroll systems.
• Experience with a publicly traded company.