Payroll & Tax Analyst

Overview

The Payroll & Tax Analyst provides administrative and operational support to the payroll team, with a focus on payroll tax compliance, gift tax reporting, special payroll projects, and ad hoc payroll processing needs. Working closely with the Senior Manager, Payroll & Compliance and other payroll team members, this role helps ensure payroll operations are accurate, timely, and compliant for both corporate and shop employees.

This position is well-suited for a detail-oriented payroll professional who can manage complex payroll and tax tasks in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while building technical expertise.

Responsibilities

Payroll Tax & Gift Tax Support

• Support gift tax reporting, including data gathering validation, tracking, and documentation
• Assist with payroll tax setup, filings, amendments, reconciliations, and notices under the guidance of senior payroll leadership
• Prepare and review payroll tax reports to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Maintain organized records to support audits, agency inquiries, and internal reviews

Payroll Processing & Administration

• Provide ad hoc payroll processing support, including on-cycle and off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, reversals, and corrections in support of payroll tax operations and corporate/shop payroll teams
• Support accurate employee setup and maintenance in Workday, including earnings, deductions, and tax configurations
• Ensure payroll data integrity by researching and resolving discrepancies

Special Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Support payroll special projects, including system updates, process enhancements, testing, and documentation
• Help create and maintain payroll SOPs, job aids, and process documentation for payroll tax, Workday payroll processing, and Workday reporting
• Participate in system testing related to payroll, tax updates, and new earnings or deductions
• Identify process gaps or inefficiencies and escalate recommendations to leadership

Cross-Functional Support

• Respond to internal payroll and tax-related inquiries from HR, Finance, and other stakeholders
• Partner with external vendors (e.g., ADP) to help resolve routine payroll or tax issues
• Provide reporting and data support for Finance reconciliations and compliance needs

Requirements

• 3-5 years of payroll and/or payroll tax experience, including multi-state payroll exposure
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Fundamental knowledge of payroll tax regulations and reporting requirements
• Experience supporting payroll processing cycles and responding to payroll-related inquiries
• Familiarity with payroll systems such as Workday, ADP, or similar platforms
• Strong attention to detail with solid organizational and time management skills
• Intermediate Excel skills and ability to work with payroll data and reports
• Ability to follow established procedures while identifying opportunities for improvement
• Clear written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

None listed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: DOE

Location

• Remote work is eligible in any state where the employer currently resides: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, KS, KY, MO, NM, NV, OK, OR, TN, TX, UT, and WA.
• For candidates located in the Greater Phoenix area: required to be in office four days per week (Monday–Thursday). Fridays are optional remote work days.

Physical Requirements

• In-office environment: Must be able to work in a busy, crowded, and loud office with frequent distractions and interruptions
• Must be able to collaborate in-person with occasional impromptu in-person meetings
• Adaptability to typical office conditions, which may include exposure to air conditioning, heating, artificial lighting, and varying noise levels
• Mobility: Ability to sit, stand, reach, twist, stretch, and work at a desk for long stretches; must be able to occasionally move or lift office items up to 25 pounds
• Hearing requirements: Hearing must be sufficient or correctable to ensure clear understanding of spoken information, including participating in virtual meetings and phone calls (use of hearing aids or other assistive devices acceptable if needed)
• Reading and writing proficiency: Ability to read and write in English essential for processing documents, drafting reports, and following up on actions; proficiency in written communication required
• Vision requirements: Vision must be adequate or correctable to perform essential job duties, such as reading documents on a computer screen and using other visual tools (corrective lenses or other measures expected if needed)
• Technology proficiency: Must be proficient in operating a computer and other office productivity tools such as printers, scanners, and collaboration software
• Effective communication: Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with team members, clients, and other stakeholders via email, video conferencing, and other in-office communication tools