Senior Payroll Tax and Compliance Analyst

US-NJ-Princeton

Job ID: 2021-12595
Type: Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Financial Services and Procurement

Princeton University

Overview

The Office of Finance & Treasury at Princeton University seeks a Senior Payroll Tax and Compliance Analyst to join the Payroll Services team. The Payroll Services department is dedicated to supporting the University’s teaching and research mission by striving to provide excellent customer service to all faculty, staff and students in the payments of their salaries, wages and stipends. The department is responsible for ensuring all employees are paid timely and accurately and that all payments and withholdings are made in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations. For calendar year 2020, the department processed payrolls in excess of $898 million in gross wages and more than 15,000 W-2 tax forms.

The Senior Payroll Tax and Compliance Analyst is responsible for leading, preparing and managing the federal and state tax withholding and remittance process which exceeded $231 million for calendar year 2020. These responsibilities include the processing and reconciliation of payroll taxes for every biweekly and monthly payrolls, performing payroll account reconciliations, investigating and resolving tax liability issues, responding to notices from various tax authorities and supporting the University’s annual financial statement audits. This position will act as the lead tax compliance expert to ensure the University remains compliant with current and emerging federal and state regulations that affect the payroll process and serve as the responsible manager for the University’s third-party tax management vendor relationship.

The Office of Finance & Treasury actively searches for staff members of exceptional ability and promise who share in Princeton University's commitment to excellence, and who present a diversity of viewpoints and cultures. We offer varied professional opportunities spanning all aspects of financial management, analysis, and processing in support of the teaching and research mission. As part of the University community, we respect the dignity and individuality of each member while trying to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose. We are unwavering in our commitment to both diversity and community and embrace the variety of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives of all of our colleagues.

Responsibilities

Reconcile Balance Sheet Liability Accounts

Identify, research, and clear tax and/or accounting related issues. Collaborate with the Payroll Manager and/or System Liaison if queries, system interfaces, or payment processes are not working properly.Establish and maintain account reconciliations and procedure documentation.

Lead Payroll Tax Reporting and Audit Efforts

Collect, analyze, and deliver reporting and analysis on progress against key performance indicators and review with stakeholders to improve data and process quality.Ensure timely and accurate delivery of monthly, quarterly and year-end reporting deliverables including W2, W2C, 1042S forms and reports.Collaborate with the Tax Services Department to support the annual 990 process by preparing the Schedule J.

Manage the Payroll Tax Filing Process

As the University’s payroll tax expert, engage directly with Federal and State tax regulatory agencies to ensure prompt resolution of issues.Prepare, generate, and reconcile original and amended periodic and quarterly tax file. Record and update payroll tax liability worksheets. Manage production of year-end reporting procedures including W-2. Reconcile and prepare corresponding W3.

Manage the Third-Party Tax Management Vendor Relationship

As senior tax compliance official for the University, manage a third-party vendor to ensure the accurate and timely submission of the University’s payroll-related tax liabilities to federal and state taxing authorities.

Document and Communicate Regulatory Changes

Create a digital database of existing and future federal and state tax regulations.Work closely with the Associate Director to transition existing procedures to more efficient and functional processes, determine where new procedures need to be established, and document them in a digital procedures database.Assist with developing and delivering training content for campus on various payroll topics

Other

Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societiesProvide backup support to the Payroll Manager for approving payments, etc. Identify improvement opportunities and support process improvement projects that strengthen operational compliance

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience4-7 years related accounting and/or tax experience Advanced level proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) Experience querying data and/or using ad-hoc reporting toolsAttention to DetailStrong analytical, problem solving, time management and interpersonal skillsAbility to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of colleagues, including faculty, staff, students and tax authorities.Discretion and good judgment working with highly sensitive and confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

Account Reconciliations experienceExperience collaborating with a third-party payroll tax filing serviceKnowledge of non-resident tax compliance as it relates to payroll processing and taxationExpertise with using a large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Payroll application

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW

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