Staff Accountant

We're looking for a detail-oriented Staff Accountant (Payroll Tax) to join our Finance team. This role combines core accounting responsibilities with payroll tax compliance, supporting a workforce of nearly 3,000 employees across multiple states and jurisdictions. As an Employer of Record (EOR), payroll tax compliance is a critical part of our business.

Responsibilities

• Payroll Tax Compliance
  • Support federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance across all operating jurisdictions.
  • Assist with the timely filing and remittance of payroll taxes, including federal withholding tax, FICA, FUTA, Forms 941 and 940, and state and local payroll taxes.
  • Manage State Unemployment Insurance (SUI/SUTA) compliance, ensuring tax rates are maintained and updated accurately within payroll systems.
  • Register and maintain payroll tax accounts as the organisation expands into new states and local jurisdictions.
  • Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and investigate discrepancies between payroll records, filings, and the general ledger.
  • Research and resolve notices received from tax authorities, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and documented appropriately.
  • Stay informed of payroll tax legislation and regulatory changes, supporting the maintenance of compliance processes and documentation.
• Accounting & General Ledger
  • Prepare and post journal entries, including payroll-related accruals, benefits allocations, prepaid expenses, amortisations, reclassifications, and fixed asset activity.
  • Maintain accurate general ledger records and ensure transactions are recorded in line with accounting standards and company policies.
  • Support the month-end close process through timely preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
  • Assist with variance analysis and provide explanations for account fluctuations where required.
• Reconciliations & Financial Accuracy
  • Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including payroll tax liabilities, cash, accruals, and prepaid accounts.
  • Identify and investigate discrepancies, escalating issues where necessary.
  • Review financial transactions for accuracy, coding, and supporting documentation.
  • Prepare adjusting entries and corrections when required.
• Collaboration & Audit Support
  • Partner closely with Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and other Finance team members to ensure accurate financial reporting.
  • Liaise with third-party payroll and tax providers to support payroll tax filings and account maintenance.
  • Respond to queries relating to payroll tax, accounting transactions, and account balances.
  • Support internal and external audits by gathering documentation and providing information as required.

Requirements

• Holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline, or has equivalent relevant experience.
• Has 2-4 years of accounting experience, ideally including payroll tax responsibilities.
• Possesses a strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Has experience supporting payroll tax compliance within a multi-state organisation.
• Understands payroll tax reporting requirements, including Forms 940, 941, and W-2 reporting.
• Has experience using ERP or accounting systems such as Sage, alongside payroll and tax-filing platforms.
• Is highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with large data sets.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Can manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Communicates effectively and enjoys collaborating with colleagues across different functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within an Employer of Record (EOR), Professional Employer Organisation (PEO), staffing, or high-volume payroll environment.
• Experience supporting a large geographically dispersed workforce.

About the role

At Workwell, we're on a mission to simplify workforce management and create better experiences for businesses and employees alike. You'll join a collaborative team where your expertise will directly contribute to maintaining compliance, supporting growth, and improving financial processes across the organisation.

Pay

$65,000 - $70,000

Schedule

• Full-time, Exempt
• Hybrid workplace
• Monday – Friday
• Minimal travel required (5% or less)

Location: San Diego, California