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Tax/Payroll-Benefit Accountant

Description
The Office of University Controller (OUC) is responsible for managing the university’s system of record – the Financial System – and its interfaces with purchasing, payables, human resources, and other subsystems, including the Cognos Reporting System. It works closely with the campus controllers, the state controller, and the state auditor’s office to ensure that fiscal practices comply with external and internal rules and regulations and generally accepted accounting principles. The OUC communicates fiscal policies and procedures to the university community through its news blog, website, and training programs, and provides direct assistance to faculty, staff, and other individuals through the Finance & Procurement Help Desk. The office also administers a Continuing Professional Education program and the CU Innovation & Efficiency (CU I&E) employee recognition program.

Position Summary
The Tax/Payroll-Benefit Accountant is a member of the University of Colorado’s (CU) Office of University Controller (OUC). The Payroll/Benefit Accounting unit is responsible for administering and managing the payroll/benefit accounting functions for the University of Colorado System, including maintaining compliance in operational, tax, and accounting activities. This position processes tax deposits after each payroll; handles FSA receipts; processes fees and payments to various payroll related organizations; prepares Denver/Aurora head tax reports and payments; creates journals for bank account activity; and handles aging report (billing) reconciliations.  The position is responsible for various tasks related to the preparation and review for tax compliance activities for Unrelated Business Income, International Tax, Sales Tax, and Payroll Tax.  

The Tax/Payroll-Benefit Accountant position reports to the Director of Tax & Payroll Benefit Accounting and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff.

Duties
Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: 

  • Manage the tax deposit process after each payroll, including reviewing payroll report files, creating journals, handling nonresident alien withholding tax (Form 1042 processing), processing automated clearing house (ACH) disbursements, and requesting wire payments.
  • Reconcile payroll tax payments and confirm accuracy of third-party payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on behalf of CU.
  • Reconcile ADP invoices for CU payroll tax billings.
  • Reconcile quarterly and annual ADP and internal payroll reports.
  • Reconcile select garnishments for CU employees and retirees, including reconciling bank accounts/payroll data/electronic funds transfer (EFT) amounts to the general ledger and preparing journals for EFT payments, researching discrepancies in payroll deductions for garnishment, and assisting payroll staff in corrections.
  • Manage CU desktop deposits to bank.
  • Manage, reconcile, and process monthly allocation of administrative fees.
  • Manage and process wire transfer/voucher payment requests for employee payments (gifts) to the CU Foundation and Colorado Combined Campaign (CCC).
  • Process and record cash receipts and prepare aging reports for miscellaneous benefits receivable accounts.
  • Participate/contribute in OUC meetings with Employee Services (Payroll) and third-party vendors (e.g., ADP) as required. 
  • Manage payroll tax processing associated with nonresident alien withholding (Form 1042) and withholding from non-payroll payments (Form 945) and perform associated tracking and worksheet reconciliation.
  • Reconcile select payroll/benefit liability accounts, including Dental, Payroll Warrant/Advice Clearing, Overpayment, and Flexible Spending.  Assure correct recording of account transactions in the general ledger. Assure accuracy of account balances, research and resolve discrepancies, and prepare adjusting journal entries as necessary.
  • Process payments to third-party vendors for payroll withholding amounts, including confirming vendor data to assure accurate maintenance of employee benefits and withholding.
  • Prepare/revise documentation on procedures on the above procedures.
  • Oversee student employees as they assist in any of the above duties.
  • Record journal entries to record fees/credits from payroll invoices.
  • Compile data and prepare upwards of 50-100 journal entries monthly.
  • Produce stale dated warrant data for all four campuses.
  • Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) wire transfer and Treasury notification.
  • Assist Director of Tax & Payroll Benefit Accounting with Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) reporting.
  • Prepare Reconciliations of 1042 Payments every pay cycle, quarterly, and annual basis.
  • Tax Compliance calculations and form submission for:
    • Form 720,
    • Form 4720,
    • Form 1042,
    • Form 990-T.
  • Draft responses to tax notices and other tax correspondence.
  • Prepare Data Submissions for Forms 1098-T, 1099-R.
  • Coordinate with Director of Tax on various related tasks. These include tax return preparation, tax research, notice responses, and general tax consulting.
  • Assist with sales tax reporting.
  • Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Who we are: System Administration, which also houses the Office of the President, is located in the uptown neighborhood of Denver with a few smaller offices located on the campuses.  However, this position has the ability to work remotely. Many of our departments support the educational and research missions of the four University of Colorado campuses, but System Administration is not considered a campus. We provide diverse opportunities for professional development, innovation, and collaboration with talented staff and faculty.  Learn more about CU System Administration.

The University of Colorado has been proactive in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can visit our COVID-19 webpage for more information.

What we offer:

Salary: The salary range has been established at $55,000 - $65,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Benefits: The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

  • Medical: Multiple plan options
  • Dental: Multiple plan options
  • Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision and Wellness
  • Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
  • Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
    • Vacation Days: 22
    • Sick Days: 15
    • Holiday Days: 10
  • Tuition Benefit: System employees have the benefit on all campuses 
  • ECO Pass: RTD Bus and light rail service
  • Additional Perks & Programs: Click here to access a few more Perks and Programs
Click here to access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. This position is a University Staff position.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

More information on benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at www.cu.edu/employee-services/.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
To be successful in this position, candidates will need the following:

  • Knowledge and understanding of accounting procedures and best practices.
  • Knowledge and understanding of payroll tax accounting issues.
  • Customer service skills, including the ability to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and maintain an open, flexible, and friendly demeanor.
  • Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details accurately and clearly.
  • Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others.
  • Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and make decisions.
  • Intermediate to advanced Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), and learn and experiment with new software and systems.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to examine and summarize data and trends in order to resolve issues and produce results.
  • Accounting skills, including the ability to perform computational math, follow established accounting and financial standards, be cognizant of and address details, and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to deliver a high level of commitment to customer service.
  • Ability to work independently and have reliable professional judgment, as well as work collaboratively with a team to achieve desired results.


Qualifications
Minimum Requirements

Please ensure your resume includes any and all relevant experience to be accurately assessed against these qualifications.  You must meet all minimum requirements listed at the time of application to be considered for this role.

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis).
  • One (1) year of professional accounting experience, which includes:
    • Reconciling financial data, statements, and accounts
    • Processing payments and wire transfers
    • Preparing deposits, payments, reports, and journals
Preferred Qualifications

  • Two (2) years of professional accounting experience, as indicated above.
  • Professional experience with PeopleSoft enterprise software (e.g., Finance, HCM).
  • Professional experience in public higher education or other complex government organization.
  • Tax Preparation Experience (1042, 1098-T, 990-T, 720, 4720, 1099 Series). 


Job Category: Finance and Accounting
Primary Location: Denver
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Jul 15, 2021
Unposting Date: Ongoing

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