Senior Payroll Tax Specialist

$72,000 - $74,000/Yr

Northwestern University - Evanston, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Evanston, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Senior Payroll Tax Specialist at Northwestern University plays a vital role in managing payroll tax compliance and reporting. This position ensures accurate calculation, filing, and payment of payroll taxes in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role demands strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing tax laws.

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $72,000 - $74,000 per year based on experience and qualifications.