Payroll Tax Analyst

Houlihan Lokey•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com. Scope: The Payroll Tax Analyst is a key member of the Payroll team responsible for ensuring compliance with all U.S. payroll tax laws and regulations. This role manages payroll tax processes for employee remuneration, ensuring accurate filings, timely submissions, and execution of adjustments or amendments as necessary. Support General Ledger account reconciliations for U.S. and non-U.S. accounts. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate across teams.

Requirements

4–5 years of verifiable experience in multi-state Payroll.
Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll tax laws and regulations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with exceptional organizational and analytical skills.
Proficiency in payroll systems, Workday with OneSource Virtual (OSV) preferred
Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills with proficiency in Excel including pivot tables, data validation, and advanced data modeling.
High attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

CPP, FPC, or equivalent certification preferred.
Experience with ServiceNow and Oracle preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Tax Compliance: Configure and test new or updated payroll taxes in all payroll and vendor systems, including new jurisdiction registration and general ledger account mapping with accounting.
Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate payroll tax records for reconciliations and general ledger accounting.
Tax Return Reconciliation: Validate vendor-prepared and remitted payroll taxes, returns, and amended federal, state and local returns (e.g., Forms 941, W-2, 940) to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Reconcile vendor tax collections including partnering with the Benefits team regarding state family medical leave and disability programs administered through payroll deductions.
Audits & Reporting: Support payroll tax audits and prepare reports for internal stakeholders and external government agencies.
Regulatory Updates: Monitor and implement changes in federal, state, and local payroll tax laws to maintain compliance. Conduct periodic audits of Workday to validate configuration is appropriate based on current regulations.
Global Mobility: Collaborate with the Global Mobility and Payroll team members to manage payroll tax requirements for expatriate and relocating employees to, from, and within the U.S.
Agency Notices: Research and respond to agency notices; update vendors and payroll systems with rate changes.
Vendor Management: Primary point of contact for U.S. tax vendor, OneSource Virtual (OSV), including daily management of cases and monthly vendor meetings to ensure escalation and timely resolution of cases.
General Ledger Reconciliation: Support General Ledger account reconciliations for U.S. and non-U.S. accounts.
Human Resources Coordination: Partner with HR Operations team to resolve missing employee data that may result in prevent filing rejections. Collaborate with HR Operations regarding state unemployment tax rates updates, including voluntary contribution calculations.
Employee Support: Address employee inquiries regarding year-end documents, W-2 breakdowns, bonuses, and tax withholding clarifications.
Team Collaboration: Provide ongoing support to U.S. Payroll team members and assist with payroll-related projects, including acquisitions and mergers.