Payroll Specialist

Overview

This role supports the Payroll Tax Operations team as a Senior Payroll Tax Processor. You will ensure accurate and timely resolution of payroll tax issues while managing a high-volume case workload, including Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File processes.

Responsibilities

• Execute full-cycle payroll tax case work for assigned accounts, including processing payroll runs accurately, auditing pre- and post-payroll outputs, managing tax filings and payments, and ensuring compliance across all active jurisdictions.
• Research and resolve complex State and Federal payroll tax notices independently, including balance-due notices, deposit discrepancies, SUI rate change notices, and account mismatch notices; own each case from intake through closure.
• Prepare comprehensive written responses to tax agencies, including supporting documentation, and submit within required deadlines while confirming receipt.
• Independently prepare amended payroll tax returns (including Form 941-X and state equivalents) for complex amendments, maintaining ownership throughout the process.
• Support payroll correction workflows by identifying error sources, quantifying tax impacts, documenting audit trails, and ensuring resolution completion.
• Manage personal work-in-progress queues by prioritizing cases based on SLA deadlines, flagging aging cases, and maintaining detailed case documentation from initial contact to closure.
• Perform trend analysis of customer data, system outputs, and agency correspondence to identify process or system deficiencies and recommend improvements.
• Contribute to the development and update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Knowledge Base articles by flagging outdated content, suggesting revisions, and documenting solutions to unresolved issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams such as Corrections, Amendments, Pay & File, and Tax Notice teams; mentor and serve as a role model for junior staff.

Requirements

• 2–3+ years of direct payroll tax experience, with emphasis on notice resolution, amended return preparation, and payroll error correction across multiple states.
• Strong understanding of IRS and state agency notice types and the ability to independently resolve complex payroll tax issues.
• Comprehensive knowledge of tax payment and filing regulations, including federal and state responsibilities for employees and employers.
• Hands-on experience preparing and approving amended Federal (Form 941-X, W-2c) and state payroll tax returns, especially in jurisdictions with complex local requirements.
• Deep knowledge of federal payroll tax law, including FICA, FUTA, FITW, and multi-state payroll tax compliance.
• Proficiency with payroll platforms and case management systems (e.g., Salesforce expected).
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with tax agencies and documenting case activities.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of technical competence.

Preferred Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC); CPP certification is advantageous.
• Prior experience in payroll service bureaus, PEOs, or multi-client environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package aligned with industry standards and performance-based rewards.
• Flexible work hours with a minimum of 20 hours per week, with the option to increase up to 40 hours based on business needs.
• Eligible for overtime pay, cash bonuses, equity rewards, and comprehensive benefits programs.
• Compensation varies by location; specific salary ranges are provided for different regions.
• Support for professional development and ongoing learning, including training and certification opportunities (including support for CPP certification).

Location

Flexible work arrangement with 20–40 hours per week based on business needs.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.