Tax and Payroll Compliance Accountant

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.The Tax and Payroll Compliance Accountant is responsible for coordinating the University's institutional tax compliance and reporting activities, with primary emphasis on federal, state, local, and international tax requirements.

The position also provides payroll tax compliance oversight and serves as a trained backup for payroll processing to support continuity during absences, peak periods, and other operational needs.

The position works closely with Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Benefits, Student Financial Services, Athletics, Procurement, and other departments to identify tax implications, maintain accurate filings and payments, support audits, research complex tax matters, reconcile payroll tax activity, and communicate compliance requirements to appropriate stakeholders.
** Essential Duties and Responsibilities
**** 1. Federal and International Tax Compliance and Reporting
*** Prepare schedules and coordinate the preparation, review, and finalization of the University's annual Form 990.
* Prepare schedules and coordinate the preparation and review of Form 990-T, including ongoing evaluation of University activities for potential unrelated business income tax (UBIT) exposure.
* Calculate and coordinate required quarterly and annual federal tax payments, including applicable payments through EFTPS for Forms 990-T and 1042.
* Prepare or oversee required federal and international tax filings, including Form 1042-S, FBAR, and Form 8300 reporting, as applicable.
* Monitor and respond to IRS notices, coordinating with University departments and external advisors as needed.
* Maintain complete documentation supporting federal and international tax filings, calculations, positions, and payments.
** 2. University Tax Compliance Oversight and Support
*** Provide technical guidance and support for the University's Form 1098-T and Form 1099 reporting processes, including system and process issues.
* Identify, evaluate, and coordinate reporting of taxable fringe benefits for employee W-2 reporting.
* Evaluate tuition discounts and educational benefits provided to employees and dependents to determine appropriate tax treatment, including graduate-level tuition benefits.
* Provide guidance regarding the tax treatment of University payments, benefits, transactions, and programs.
* Develop and maintain tax procedures, calendars, work papers, checklists, and documentation.
* Establish and monitor controls designed to support complete, accurate, and timely tax filings and payments.
** 3. State and Local Tax Compliance
*** Calculate, prepare, and remit the University's monthly Texas sales tax obligations.
* Monitor activities for potential sales and use tax obligations and identify possible requirements in states other than Texas.
* Coordinate annual unclaimed property reporting to the State of Texas.
* Monitor changes in state and local tax laws and recommend appropriate process or procedural changes.
** 4. Payroll Tax Compliance
*** Support accurate and timely federal, state, and local payroll tax withholding, deposits, filings, and payments.
* Prepare, review, or reconcile quarterly and annual employment tax reporting, including Forms 941, W-2, W-3, and applicable state and local filings.
* Reconcile payroll tax liabilities to payroll registers, tax filings, vendor records, and general ledger activity; research and resolve variances.
* Monitor payroll tax requirements for employees working in multiple states and local jurisdictions, including withholding, unemployment, registration, and reporting obligations.
* Research payroll tax implications related to remote work, employee relocations, taxable fringe benefits, educational benefits, nonresident aliens, and other special payments.
* Research and respond to payroll tax notices and coordinate corrections with Payroll, Finance, Human Resources, payroll vendors, and external advisors.
* Maintain payroll tax calendars, work papers, procedures, records, and controls necessary to support filings, payments, audits, and year-end reporting.
** 5. Payroll Backup and Continuity Support
*** Maintain sufficient knowledge of payroll schedules, procedures, systems, and controls to serve as a reliable backup payroll processor.
* Provide backup payroll processing support during staff absences, peak workloads, emergencies, or business…