Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist

Fugro • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

The Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist ensures accurate, compliant payroll tax administration across multiple U.S. jurisdictions and entities. The role serves as the subject matter expert on federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and supports payroll operations, tax filings, reconciliations, audits, and compliance initiatives. It partners with Payroll, Finance, Human Resources, and external agencies to resolve complex tax issues, minimize organizational risk, and improve payroll tax processes and systems.

The position requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of multi-state payroll taxation, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment. Workload may increase during tax filing deadlines and reporting cycles, requiring flexibility to meet critical compliance timelines. The role also supports other accounting functions and may perform incidental duties such as filing, responding to employee pay inquiries, and interdepartmental communication.

Requirements

• Legally authorized to work in the United States without restrictions.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 5 years of progressive payroll experience, with significant emphasis on payroll tax compliance and multi-state processing in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local payroll tax laws and regulations is highly preferred.
• Experience with payroll systems such as Workday, Deltek Vision, Vantagepoint, or similar.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data validation.
• Strong math aptitude and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong working knowledge of computers and fluency with software applications, including MS Office.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet critical compliance timelines, with flexibility during peak periods.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Familiarity with prevailing wage and union payroll.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example and uphold Quality, Health & Safety, Security, and environmental protection as core values.
• Serve as the primary payroll tax subject matter expert for federal, state, and local regulations across multiple Fugro entities.
• Prepare, review, reconcile, and file payroll tax returns in applicable jurisdictions.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes affecting payroll taxation and assess business implications.
• Maintain company tax registrations and ensure compliance with multi-state tax requirements.
• Coordinate resolution of tax notices, agency inquiries, penalties, and compliance discrepancies.
• Manage year-end payroll tax activities, including Forms W-2 and W-2C and related reporting.
• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and general ledger accounts.
• Analyze payroll tax processes and identify opportunities for automation and efficiency improvements.
• Participate in payroll system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process redesign initiatives.
• Develop standard operating procedures and documentation for payroll tax processes.
• Generate and analyze payroll metrics and compliance reporting for management review.
• Maintain effective working relationships and a positive, punctual, and professional attitude.
• Support other accounting functions and perform incidental duties, including filing, responding to employee pay inquiries, and interdepartmental communication.
• Assist with audits and provide necessary documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• On-the-job learning experiences.
• LinkedIn Learning access.
• Business and technical training.
• Leadership development programs.
• Flexible work models.
• Comprehensive benefits package with choices intended to fit employees' needs at different life stages.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED