Accounting Manager, Compliance & Payroll

Accounting Manager Payroll, Tax, and Compliance

About Us: Recognized as the trusted source for industry knowledge, LIMRA and LOMA provides research, training, development, and networking solutions to financial services companies. In a rapidly changing marketplace, companies rely on us for our industry insight, practical solutions, and unwavering commitment to their success.

Why Join Us: Leading life insurance and financial services organizations around the world rely on our membership to make bottom-line decisions with greater confidence. They turn to us for:

• Research: Catalysts for new ideas, industry benchmarking, and strategic planning.
• Learning & Development: Programs to assess, train, and increase productivity, and develop future corporate leaders.
• Networking: Connections with industry leaders and peers through study groups, committees, and conferences.

The Opportunity:

The Accounting Manager - Payroll, Tax, and Compliance is responsible for overseeing the organization's payroll operations, regulatory compliance, and key accounting processes. This role ensures accurate financial reporting, timely payroll processing, adherence to federal and state regulations, and strong internal controls. The Accounting Manager partners closely with HR, Finance, and external auditors to maintain audit-ready documentation and support organizational goals.

This position reports directly to the Director of Finance and works closely with the Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Controller to ensure accurate payroll execution, strong compliance practices, and timely financial reporting. This role supervises two direct reports.

We offer a Work for Your Day super flexible hybrid schedule and a full benefits package that begins on day one!

Location:
Windsor, CT / Hybrid

What You'll Do:

Payroll Management

• Oversee end-to-end payroll processing to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain payroll general ledger accounts, reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
• Manage payroll accruals including salaries, incentive compensation, taxes, 401(k)/Roth contributions, and leave programs.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls over payroll and incentive compensation calculations.
• Oversee and coordinate responses to federal and state tax authority inquiries, ensuring accurate and timely resolution of payroll-related compliance issues.
• Support change management efforts related to payroll system enhancements, process improvements, and regulatory updates, including testing, documentation, and communication of changes.
• Partner with HR and sales to support accurate administration, accounting, and reporting of incentive compensation programs.

Compliance Management

• Lead domestic sales tax compliance, including nexus monitoring, taxability reviews, return preparation support, and reconciliation of tax filings.
• Coordinate and prepare documentation for pension and 401(k) plan audits, ensuring timely responses, accurate schedules, and audit-ready support.
• Guide the team through regulatory changes and system updates, including the implementation and ongoing management of Avalara, ensuring proper configuration, testing, documentation, and cross-department alignment.
• Strengthen internal controls related to payroll, tax, and compliance processes, identifying risks, implementing mitigation strategies, and enhancing process transparency.

Financial Planning and Analysis and Business Unit Support

• Coordinate with Finance and business unit leaders to support the annual budget development process
• Assist in managing the reforecasting cycle by reviewing departmental submissions
• Prepare and review financial analyses, including variance explanations and trend insights
• Partner with business unit leaders to help clarify financial expectations, gather operational insights, and support planning activities.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business is required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including exposure to payroll, compliance, and audit support is required
• Excellent management and supervisory skills including a minimum of three to five years leading, mentoring, developing and managing multiple accounting and/or payroll professionals is required
• Preferred experience in both for-profit and non-profit environments, with an understanding of their unique financial frameworks

What Do You Need to Succeed?

• Experience managing payroll processes, payroll accounting, and payroll tax reporting
• Experience supporting domestic sales tax processes or working with tax compliance tools is required and Avalara experience is a plus
• Experience learning and implementing new financial or tax software (e.g., Avalara)
• Prior involvement in pension or 401(k) plan audits, including preparation of schedules and documentation
• Experience supporting budgeting, reforecasting, or financial planning activities
• Familiarity with month-end close processes, reconciliations, and internal controls
• Experience working…