Senior Employment Tax and Payroll Analyst

Job Description

This role is responsible for the accurate and compliant processing of multi-entity payroll, ensuring adherence to IRS regulations, including FICA tax withholding and fringe benefit taxability. Key duties involve processing a wide range of payroll transactions, performing detailed reconciliations, and addressing employee inquiries related to complex tax situations. The specialist will also maintain meticulous payroll records, support audits, and actively research and implement tax law changes to ensure continuous compliance.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate FICA tax withholding and compliance with IRS regulations for employees with multi-entity payroll reporting.
• Provide guidance on IRS regulations concerning compensation, including fringe benefits, assignment benefits, and taxability.
• Process semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll transactions, including salaries, shift premiums, benefits, garnishments, taxes, deductions, general ledger (G/L) entries, tax position changes, and adjustments.
• Perform analysis and reconciliation of payroll data to maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, including W-2 reconciliations, monthly allowances, imputed income, shadow payroll for foreign country payroll, benefit deductions, and leave of absence compensation.
• Address employee inquiries related to split payroll reporting, U.S. individual income tax rules, and payroll reporting for U.S. persons and foreign nationals.
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates, such as new hires, terminations, pay classifications, time zones, and rate changes.
• Prepare and maintain accurate payroll records and reports while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
• Facilitate audits by providing payroll records, tax filings, and other documentation to auditors.
• Research and interpret payroll tax laws and regulatory changes to maintain ongoing compliance.
• Investigate and resolve payroll tax variances, out-of-balance conditions, and filing discrepancies.
• Support payroll-related systems, including configuration updates, troubleshooting, testing, and integration with HR/Payroll platforms.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field.
  • 6 years’ experience in employment tax, global mobility tax, expatriate tax, or international individual income tax.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong ability to research IRS regulations related to individual income tax and employment tax.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. tax residency rules and their implications for payroll reporting for employees on assignment.
  • Expertise in payroll functions, including preparation, balancing, internal controls, and payroll taxes.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
  • Strong computer skills and the ability to work effectively with payroll platforms such as ADP, Workday, or similar systems.
• Interpersonal Skills:
  • Outstanding customer service orientation with responsiveness and ownership of tasks through completion.
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills with meticulous attention to accuracy.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Solid understanding of accounting fundamentals.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to develop effective solutions.
  • Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including HR, Finance, and Accounting.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Able to work with the Headquarters team in a UTC+8 time zone when necessary; Mandarin proficiency is a plus.
  • Flexibility to meet tight deadlines, including during holiday schedules.
  • Team player with a proactive and adaptable mindset.

Preferred Qualifications/Requirements

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field.
• 3+ years’ experience working in Big 4 company
• Relevant certifications such as US CPA or CPP

Physical Requirements

• Primarily an office-based role requiring the ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a computer.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard mouse and other standard office equipment for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, reach, bend, and carry light objects.
• May require occasional travel to company sites or other meetings that involve walking through office, industrial or construction environments

Shift Expectations

• Standard work hours: Monday through Friday (onsite required)