Senior Payroll Tax Specialist

To protect the health and well-being of our members, employees and community, CareOregon requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved medical or religious exception as a qualification of employment.

Candidates who receive an offer of employment by CareOregon, must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit a medical or religious exception request, which will be evaluated in accordance with CareOregon's standard accommodation process.

Job Title	Sr Payroll Tax Specialist
Exemption Status	Exempt
Department	Finance
Manager Title	Accounting/Payroll Leadership
Direct Reports	n/a
Requisition #	23064

Job Summary

This position performs senior level payroll tax functions for the organization. Primary responsibilities include payroll tax filings and accounting, collaboration with payroll specialists and senior accountants to ensure the company's compliance with local, state and federal payroll and payroll benefit regulations, maintenance of payroll tax accounts and reconciliations, correspondence with payroll processor related to amendments to tax filings and discrepancies, filing of payroll tax and workers compensation, and state and local tax account setup as needed for new jurisdictions. The Payroll Tax Specialist also assists with bi-weekly payroll review and serves as back-up for other payroll tasks. Additionally, this position is responsible for internal and external relations, auditing, and general administration.

Essential Responsibilities

Bi-Weekly Payroll and Reporting

• Review payroll tax calculations during payroll processing.
• Review and/or pay Federal, State and Local withholding tax information daily to ensure timely deposits.
• Prepare all weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll tax returns required.
• Perform daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliation activities as needed.
• Reconcile and prepare annual returns in preparation for year-end process of W2's and related returns as appropriate.
• Correspond with tax jurisdictions as required to resolve outstanding issues and/or work with payroll processor to resolve tax issues and pending tax cases.
• Participate in cross-departmental initiatives to ensure proper consideration and action of regulatory and tax-impacting changes.
• Assist in testing of payroll tax setups in payroll system.
• Set-up new jurisdictions as required.
• Review all employee address changes, identify associated tax changes and new jurisdictions (state, SUI, local, etc.), execute and monitor required tax registrations directly with the agency, and resolve/close out outstanding registration/issues.
• Monitor tax rates changes and confirm updates in payroll system.
• Review payroll changes, regulations, and laws to determine appropriate handling in accordance with payroll practices and policies and execute action.
• Research and respond to complex payroll tax questions received.
• Maintain process documents.

Internal & External Relations

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, teams, and leaders, as well as external entities.
• Serve as an advanced resource for payroll and finance staff.

Administration

• Participate in 1:1, team, and department meetings; attend All Staff meetings.
• Identify and help implement process improvements with minimal supervision.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Perform work in alignment with the organization's mission, vision and values.
• Support the organization's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by fostering a culture of open mindedness, cultural awareness, compassion and respect for all individuals.
• Strive to meet annual business goals in support of the organization's strategic goals.
• Adhere to the organization's policies, procedures and other relevant compliance needs.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Experience and/or Education

Required

• Minimum 5 years' work experience in U.S. payroll taxes

Preferred

• Experience using UKG (Ultimate Software)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of multi-state compliance regarding federal, state, and local payroll taxes, regulations, reciprocities, etc.
• Knowledge of payroll tax regulations in Oregon, Washington and preferably other states
• Knowledge of how to work with agencies and appropriately handle notices
• Intermediate understanding of internal controls and department policies and procedures

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to interpret data; strong research and analytical skills
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., advanced formulas, sumifs, vlookups, pivots, appropriate application of formulas and graphs, etc.)
• Effective communication skills, including listening, verbal, and written; developing ability to influence others
• Ability to articulate and present information within the department
• Ability to communicate with external parties (e.g., auditors, actuaries, regulatory agencies, etc.)
• Ability to effectively assist with projects and/or lead small projects
• Ability to support implementation of organizational or departmental change
• Ability to identify and help implement process improvements with some supervision
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy; ability to produce high quality output, requiring some regular review
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills; ability to identify problems, inconsistencies, unexpected results, relevant information and uncertainties
• Ability to interpret an organize information in a meaningful way and articulate assumptions; ability to communicate findings and potential solutions to appropriate team member
• Organization and time management skills; ability to prioritize work and complete tasks on time
• Teamwork skills; ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers
• High degree of initiative, motivation, and professionalism
• Positive Attitude - Ability to maintain a positive attitude

• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups

• Ability to learn, focus, understand, and evaluate information and determine appropriate actions
• Ability to accept direction and feedback, as well as tolerate and manage stress
• Ability to see, read, and perform repetitive finger and wrist movement for at least 6 hours/day
• Ability to hear and speak clearly for at least 3-6 hours/day

Working Conditions

Indoor/Office Community Facilities/Security Outdoor Exposure

Member/Patient Facing: No Telephonic In Person

Hazards: May include, but not limited to, physical and ergonomic hazards.

Equipment: General office equipment

Travel: May include occasional required or optional travel outside of the workplace; the employee's personal vehicle, local transit or other means of transportation may be used.

Schedule: Ability to work during Finance Core Business Hours

Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. CareOregon is committed to building a linguistically and culturally diverse and inclusive work environment

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal opportunity employer. This company considers all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.