Payroll Specialist

Overview

This part-time Senior Payroll Tax Processor role supports the Payroll Tax Operations team in resolving payroll tax issues across Notices, Corrections, Amendments, and Pay & File processes. The work is highly detail-oriented and handled independently within a high-volume case workload. In addition to completing assigned cases, you will mentor and serve as a role model for junior team members while expanding your technical expertise.

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 independently resolve complex State and Federal payroll tax notices, owning each case from intake through closure, including:
  • Balance-due notices
  • Deposit discrepancies
  • Rate change notices
• Prepare comprehensive written responses to tax agencies, including supporting documentation, and submit within required deadlines while ensuring receipt confirmation.
• Prepare amended payroll tax returns (e.g., Form 941-X and state equivalents), especially for complex amendments, maintaining ownership throughout the process.
• Support payroll correction workflows by identifying sources of errors, quantifying tax impacts, documenting the correction trail, and driving resolutions to completion.
• Manage personal work-in-progress queues by prioritizing cases based on SLA deadlines, proactively flagging aging cases, and maintaining detailed case documentation from initial contact through resolution.
• Perform trend analysis of customer data, system data, and agency correspondence to identify process or system deficiencies for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to SOP and knowledge base updates by flagging outdated content, suggesting revisions, and documenting solutions for previously unresolved issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Corrections, Amendments, Pay & File, and Tax Notice teams; act as a role model for junior staff and seek coaching and development opportunities from senior team members and managers.

Requirements

• 2-3+ years of direct payroll tax experience, with a strong focus on:
  • Notice resolution
  • Amended return preparation
  • Payroll error correction across multiple states
• Thorough understanding of IRS and state agency notice types.
• Proven ability to independently resolve complex payroll tax notices, including:
  • Balance-due notices
  • Penalty assessments
  • SUI rate change notices
  • Deposit mismatches
• Experience preparing and approving amended Federal and State payroll tax returns, including Form 941-X and W-2c.
• Solid knowledge of federal payroll tax laws, including FICA, FUTA, FITW, and employment tax deposit schedules.
• Expertise in multi-state payroll tax compliance, reciprocal agreements, and local tax regulations.
• Proficiency in payroll platforms and case management systems such as Salesforce.
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and reconciliation auditing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with tax agencies and documenting case activities clearly.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance, or equivalent practical experience.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) is mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) preferred for candidates with over four years of experience.
• Candidates actively pursuing CPP will be considered favorably, and those holding the certification may be evaluated for accelerated development opportunities.
• Experience within a payroll service bureau, PEO, or multi-client payroll environment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly, non-exempt role eligible for overtime compensation.
• Part-time schedule with a minimum of 20 hours per week; flexibility to increase hours up to 40 based on business needs.
• Compensation includes base pay, performance-based bonuses, and equity rewards.
• Salary ranges vary by location.
• Benefits include a flexible work environment, ongoing professional development, and access to health and wellness programs.
• Additional benefits: paid time off, retirement savings plans, and employee assistance programs.

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.