Internal Control Specialist- Expat Payroll & Benefits

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain internal control matrices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for expat payroll, tax gross-ups, and benefits administration.
• Conduct regular pre- and post-payroll audits to verify calculation accuracy, bonus structures, foreign service premiums, housing allowances, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
• Maintain compliance with U.S. FLSA, IRS regulations, South Korean Labor Standards Act, and international assignment policy guidelines.
• Identify operational risks, control gaps, or compliance exposure in global mobility practices and implement corrective action plans.
• Act as the key liaison for internal and external auditors during SOX compliance testing, tax audits, or financial reviews related to expat compensation.
• Manage end-to-end administration of dual/shadow payrolls, ensuring accurate tax withholdings and reporting across both South Korea and the U.S.
• Partner with external tax counsel and third-party global mobility providers to manage hypothetical tax (Hypo-Tax) calculations, tax equalization, and annual tax reconciliations.
• Cook up coordination of the timely exchange of payroll data between HQ and local entity operations.
• Oversee Expat benefit schemes health insurance and relocation packages.
• Verify total reward structures, ensuring proper documentation and approvals for expatriate allowances (e.g., tuition support, housing, vehicle allowances).
• Manage Totalization Agreement certificates (Certificate of Coverage) to eliminate dual social security tax liability for expatriates.
• Generate control reports, audit trails, and financial reconciliations for executive leadership and Finance.
• Provide guidance to HR Business Partners and business units on expat compensation controls, cost estimates, and assignment budgeting.
• Support expatriates with complex inquiries regarding pay, benefits, and tax adjustments with cultural fluency and confidentiality.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in payroll compliance, internal controls, global mobility, or internal audit—with a heavy focus on Korean expatriate management.
• Language: Professional fluency in both English and Korean (written and verbal) is required to communicate effectively with Korean HQ and local teams.