Payroll / Tax Accountant- Minneapolis, MN

Accounting Analyst

Position Summary

This position takes a lead role in the preparation, processing, and closing of the semi-monthly payrolls in order to ensure accuracy of pay and deductions for over 9500 employees in more than 46 states. This position will respond to employee questions escalated from the HR and must have the ability to identify, research, and resolve complex payroll issues. This position must possess a high degree of knowledge related to federal, state, and local wage and tax calculations. A primary goal is to ensure the accurate and timely filing of wage and tax reports in compliance with federal and state regulations and keep detailed records. This employee must have the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with employees at all levels.

Position Scope

This position works closely with the HR, Accounts Payable, Tech Support, and Finance Departments. This employee must have the ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently, with the ability to handle multiple tasks at one time, ensuring each task is handled efficiently, confidentially, and timely while adhering to all applicable laws, policies, and regulations. This position must maintain a high standard of customer care, actively listening to employees to understand their need and point of view, and respecting their privacy. This position will take ownership of problems and issues and see them through to completion.

Major Job Accountabilities

Processing of Payroll:

* Goes through the checklist for each semi-monthly payroll close to ensure all tasks are completed.
* Responsible for reviewing and correcting errors identified in payroll logs before payroll closes.May require delegating some issues to the HR .

* Reviews Net Zero audit for those employees with gross earnings but no net pay to ensure accuracy.
* Sends overpayment information to employee's manager or HR Business Partner to pursue collection. Processes claim forgiveness and claim repayment as needed.
* Verifies the accuracy of state and local tax area set up for all employees through Address Change, New Hire, Jersey City, and Exceptions audits monthly. Contacts employees as needed to verify work and resident address and make corrections as needed to ensure the accuracy of withholding. Ensures reciprocal forms are received as required.
* Strives to close semi-monthly payrolls on or before 5:00 each payroll.
* Responsible for funding the net pay for each semi-monthly payroll including payroll adjustments.
* Approve manual checks/deposits as needed.

Payroll Tax Reporting:

• 
  Responsible for filing the Employer's quarterly Federal Tax Return (Form 941) and amendments.
  * Responsible for filing the Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return (Form 940) and making quarterly payments.
  * Responsible for paying the San Francisco quarterly estimated tax payments and providing payroll information to Corporate Tax Department for the annual return.
  * Responsible for filing monthly Florida Documentary Stamp Tax returns and remitting tax.
  * Processes W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statements, through CIC Plus and W-3c on SSA websites.
  
  Miscellaneous Duties:
• 
  Participates in the semi-annual testing of HR Service Pack Notes. Creating test cases, performing UAT & PIV testing, identifying issues, seeing that issues are resolved, providing sign off.
  * Submits new BSI TUBs to Toronto Technical Support. Performs UAT & PIV on changes that impact our payroll. Provides signoff. Sets a retroactive date in system for employees impacted when needed.
  * Submits Peregrine tickets for problems identified within the payroll system. Works with Toronto Technical Support to ensure fix is working correctly before being moved to production.
  * Reviews the CIC Plus W-4 report daily and corrects errors/warnings as needed. Sends copies to the states as required. Extracts the file from CIC Plus and saves the forms in the proper folder.
  * Handles the semi-annual testing of CIC Plus W-4 XML file changes. Performing UAT & PIV testing, identifying issues, ensuring that that issues are resolved, and providing sign off.
  * Reports on payroll metrics monthly.
  * Updates third-party disability payments in payroll system each December to include in W-2 reporting.
  * Clearly document and maintain standard operation procedures for all key functions this position performs.
  * Performs as back up for some staff functions
  * Assist payroll staff as needed.
  
  Major Challenges
• 
  Ability to multi task and still remain focused on the task at hand.
  * Ability to identify, research, and resolve complex payroll issues.
  * Ability to prioritize responsibilities so that tasks are completed timely.
• Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities),
  Minimum

* Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
* Ten + years payroll/accounting experience
* Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
* Proficient in SAP
* Proficient in Microsoft Excel
* Accounting background familiar
* Must be detail oriented and well organized.