Senior Payroll Tax Specialist

Department: Office of Human Resources
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

The Senior Payroll Tax Specialist pays a crucial role in overseeing and managing all aspects of payroll tax compliance and reporting for the organization. You will ensure that payroll taxes are accurately calculated, filed, and paid in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to stay updated on ever-changing tax laws and regulations

Responsibilities:

• Oversee payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Validate quarterly and annual payroll tax returns as prepared by third party processor, including but not limited to 941, 940, state withholding and state unemployment tax returns.
• Manage and reconcile payroll tax liabilities, ensuring timely and accurate payment of taxes.
• Prepare payroll general ledger entries and assist with reconciliation of payroll general ledger accounts to resolve any differences.
• Participate in the year-end processing of W-2s and manage W-2C requests and their reconciliations with 941s and W-3s
• Assist with resolving tax notices and inquiries from government agencies.
• Develop and maintain payroll tax procedures and documentation (SOPs) to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Stay current with changes in payroll tax laws and regulations, helping to implement necessary adjustments to payroll processes.
• Collaborate with IT and payroll teams to test and implement system upgrades or changes that impact payroll tax processing.
• Provide expertise and support to the payroll team, addressing complex payroll tax issues as they arise.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of payroll tax filings, payments, and correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience working with payroll taxes.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Proficiency in payroll software and systems (e.g., Peoplesoft, Ceridian/Dayforce, Workday).
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word and Outlook).
• Excellent analytical skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to interact with other departments as well as with employees.
  

Target hiring range for this position will be between $72,000 - $74,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.