Payroll and Tax Specialist

Payroll and Tax Specialist

Mission Critical Group

The Payroll and Tax Specialist is a critical role responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll, ensuring complete compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations for our growing organization. As a member of the payroll team, this role will co‑support a dynamic population of approximately 1,200 employees (and growing!) across multiple Centers of Excellence (COEs) and geographic locations.

• Process Payroll:
  Execute the end‑to‑end processing and reconciliation of multi‑frequency payrolls (e.g., bi‑weekly, weekly) for employees, ensuring all hours, wages, deductions, reimbursements, and with holdings are entered and calculated correctly.
• Data Integrity:
  Verify all payroll‑related data, including new hires, terminations, rate changes, transfers, and benefits deductions across various COEs. Partner with Finance to ensure accurate General Ledger mapping.
• Garnishments and Deductions:
  Accurately process and remit involuntary and voluntary deductions, including child support, tax levies, and retirement contributions.
• Timesheets:
  Work with COE local HR to ensure timely and accurate reporting of hours worked within the timekeeping system in order to effectively process payroll.
• External Benefit Processing:
  Complete 401(k) & HSA reconciliation and ensure timely submission following each processed payroll.

• Multi‑Jurisdictional Tax Management:
  Ensure complete compliance with all payroll tax laws, including federal, multi‑state, and local withholding, unemployment, and employer tax obligations for all COEs.
• Tax Filings and Remittance:
  Manage timely and accurate preparation and submission of all required tax filings and remittances for all entities and jurisdictions.
• Tax Registration:
  Partner with Paylocity for new tax registrations and closing of tax accounts that are no longer needed.
• Quarterly Tax Reconciliation:
  Review and reconcile quarterly 941s for all COEs.
• Year‑End Reporting:
  Coordinate and execute year‑end payroll activities, including balancing, reconciliation, and accurate production and distribution of W‑2s and 1099s.

• System Management:
  Co‑manage the payroll and tax modules within the HRIS, including configuration, testing of system updates, and troubleshooting.
• Process Improvement:
  Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to payroll processes and system workflows to enhance efficiency and minimize risk and manual intervention, particularly in support of the scaling organization.
• Customer Service:
  Serve as a subject matter expert, resolving complex payroll, tax, and system queries from employees and HR partners across all Centers of Excellence in a timely and professional manner.

Prepare detailed reports and documentation to support internal, external, and government audits (e.g., 401(k) audits, workers’ compensation audits).

• Safety Focus:
  Prioritize safety in all actions. Actively follow safety protocols, identify potential hazards, and take immediate steps to correct or report unsafe conditions. Model safe behavior for others and contribute to a culture of workplace safety.
• Have Humanity:
  Respect the input and ideas of everyone to create the best possible outcome.
• Be Transparent:
  Value transparency in all interactions, ensuring honesty and openness with each stakeholder.
• Drive Innovation:
  Seek new ways to improve and take on new challenges.
• Be Resilient:
  Adapt to the ever‑evolving business needs enabled by resourcefulness and agility.
• Always Reliable:
  Deliver on your commitments and achieve your goals. Show up to work on time and complete your assigned tasks.
• Grit:
  Learn new things, actively seek feedback and training.
• Ownership Mindset:
  Take full responsibility for the quality and efficiency of your work. Proactively identify issues, offer solutions, and follow through. Treat company resources and goals as your own.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation…