Payroll Analyst / Accountant (Remote-West Coast)

The Payroll Analyst involves comprehensive responsibilities, including payroll report preparation, auditing, compliance, tax reconciliation, and managing updates to payroll information.

In addition, this role will research, analyze, and verify discrepancies to assist the HR, Benefits and Finance departments.

This role requires a strong understanding of report writing and communication. This role will be responsible to work independently in prioritizing daily and fiscal-year goal deadlines.

The Analyst will assist with monitoring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Duties will include corresponding with employees, local / state / federal agencies, and vendors on various payroll data requests, such as Multiple Worksite Employment surveys, SSA, and IRS inquiries.

The Analyst may assist with daily payroll activities relating to the payroll process, which include but are not limited to auditing and processing of high-volume payroll adjustments, employment verifications, tax verifications, and other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform month end closing activities such as, but not limited to, preparation of medium to high complexity journals and flux / variance analysis, based on the financial close calendar.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of underlying financial data for general ledger accounts handled and ensuring proper supporting documentation / calculations.
• Prepare Balance Sheet Reconciliation for accounts with medium to high complexity and ensure that all reconciling items are cleared timely.
• Coordinate with other teams (AP, Benefits, HRIS, FP&A and Budget team) and / or other departments in resolving reconciling items and gather required information needed to perform month end close.
• Assist with auditing (internal / external), record-keeping and reporting functions to ensure proper application, calculation and reporting of payroll data, benefits, and taxes.
• Assist with setting up wage, deduction, and tax codes in the payroll system and collaborate with finance to align.
• Assist in the development, reporting, and review of metrics to drive performance, identify trends, and develop / implement process improvements, escalating issues, and proposed solutions as appropriate.
• Develop and tailor reports to meet the specific needs of stakeholders, ensuring information is insightful and actionable.
• Conduct rigorous audits and quality checks to identify and rectify discrepancies in payroll data, maintaining a high standard of accuracy.
• Serves as liaison for Accounting, HR, Legal, Benefits, Worker’s Compensation payroll data information requests.
• Uses problem-solving skills to research escalations, provide operational subject matter expertise on payroll processes, and proactively communicate with internal and external business partners.
• Interprets guidelines and relevant laws relating to tax withholdings, deductions, adjustments and / or garnishments as well as imputed income items.
• Assist with testing software update releases, configuration changes, business processes, and other changes in sandbox environment as needed.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax reporting including quarterly reconciliation of W-2s.
• Assist Finance with the semi-annual escheatment process, including reimbursement of stale-dated checks.
• Perform payroll duties while ensuring to adhere to internal control policies and procedures.
• Research, evaluate and ensure that payroll issues and discrepancies are resolved in a proper and timely manner.
• Coordinate record-keeping and auditing functions to ensure proper coding of payroll electronic transfer of funds.
• Assist with special projects or additional duties as assigned by manager.
• Regular attendance is a required essential function of the position.

Education and Experience

Education Requirements

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or finance desired
• CPP or FPC certified highly desired

Years of Experience

• 5+ years payroll or accounting experience
• Multi-state (40+) payroll processing environment
• Processing high volume payroll (20,000+ employees)
• Must demonstrate high level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• 1-3 years’ experience with payroll journal entries
• 1-3 years’ experience in building reports for payroll analysis and problem solving
• Working knowledge of UltiPro, UltiPro Business Intelligence, and Kronos are highly desired

Skills

• Detailed knowledge Federal and State tax compliance and garnishments
• Expert time management, problem-solving, and data analysis skills
• Ability to collaborate with various departments
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to function well under pressure
• Integrity and ethics that are beyond reproach
• Physical Requirements
• Employees working from home should keep their workspace free of safety hazards. To support the health and safety of employees, we advise remote employees to :
• Utilize surge protectors for equipment using electrical sources
• Maintain a clear walkway in the workspace
• Install or utilize sufficient lighting
• Implement approved ergonomic processes.

Physical Requirements

• Corporate - Remote - General office environment requiring ability to :
• Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time .
• Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
• Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
• The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

Safety

Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.