Accountant II

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

9d•$65,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Accountant II performs advanced accounting duties in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and procedures. The role audits and reviews payroll tax transactions for compliance with university, state, and federal tax regulations, and develops and maintains accounting policies and procedures for accurate recording and reporting of payroll transactions. The position is part of Payroll Administration at UW-Shared Services, which supports payroll domestic and foreign national tax functions. The team validates tax payments and tax application, works with foreign national employee data, audits employee information for payroll tax compliance and accuracy, and coordinates processes and interfaces to synchronize data between databases. The office is located at 660 West Washington in Madison, Wisconsin. Employees are expected to work in the office three days per week; two days may be remote. Telecommuting agreements may change. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt, ongoing academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $65,000–$75,000, depending on education, related experience, and qualifications.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or at least 3 years of related professional work experience in tax preparation, compliance, audit, or tax resolution.
Ability to interpret policies and develop and maintain an accounting program in a complex environment.
Proficiency in identifying discrepancies, reconciling tax accounts, and diagnosing root causes.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees at various levels.
Intermediate Excel skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or CPA certificate.
Experience interpreting, developing, and implementing complex policies, procedures, and rules relating to international tax law.
Experience analyzing financial systems and establishing internal control mechanisms.
Ability to create queries and analyze data sets to resolve complex problems.
Experience working with complex ERPs.

Responsibilities

Organize, prepare, and update basic payroll financial statements, monthly and year-end adjustments, and reports for financial needs within an automated payroll system, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of payroll wages and tax withholdings.
Prepare and analyze payroll tax data, reports, and records; identify discrepancies; investigate them; and recommend and implement basic solutions as needed.
Assist with accounting and review of reconciliations, tax payments, schedules, and reports.
Answer questions and provide accounting-related information to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual tax liability reporting and reconciliation.
Review, prepare, and audit taxable wage and withholding transactions and payments.
Develop and maintain automated financial systems and recommend controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.