Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

1d

About The Position

FirstEnergy is seeking an experienced payroll professional to join their team as a Payroll Tax & Compliance Specialist. This role serves as a key subject matter expert responsible for payroll tax compliance, multi-state payroll administration, payroll balancing, quarterly and year-end processing, and regulatory reporting. The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of payroll operations, payroll tax regulations, reconciliation processes, and payroll systems. This position requires a highly analytical, detail-oriented individual who can investigate issues, identify solutions, and support compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Requirements

• Seven or more years of experience in payroll operations, payroll tax, and payroll compliance, along with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent payroll certification.
• Two or more years of experience with multi-state and local payroll tax requirements, including payroll tax compliance for Pennsylvania and Ohio.
• Minimum of two years of experience creating, auditing, and validating W-2 and 1099 year-end reporting, including W-2 corrections.
• Experience performing payroll balancing, reconciliations, and adjustments to ensure accurate payroll processing and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create, analyze, and validate complex spreadsheets and reports.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, evaluate root causes, and recommend effective solutions.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle confidential data with integrity.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Oracle or other enterprise payroll systems.
• Experience with ADP tax services.
• Experience with payroll testing and system implementations.
• Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.

Responsibilities

• Manage payroll tax activities across multiple states and jurisdictions to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing.
• Research, respond to, and resolve payroll tax agency notices, inquiries, and related issues.
• Coordinate unemployment tax reporting and compliance requirements across applicable jurisdictions.
• Maintain jurisdictional tax registrations, account information, and related compliance documentation.
• Process, review, and validate payroll tax amendments, corrections, and adjustments.
• Monitor federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and ensure payroll practices remain compliant.
• Perform payroll balancing and reconciliation activities to ensure payroll results are accurate, complete, and properly supported.
• Review, validate, and process payroll balance adjustments in accordance with established procedures.
• Reconcile payroll system data with financial records to identify discrepancies, investigate variances, and support timely resolution.
• Analyze payroll discrepancies, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Review payroll costing reports and investigate variances to support accurate payroll accounting.
• Support payroll accounting processes, including clearing account reconciliations and issue resolution.
• Perform post-payroll processing activities to ensure payroll results are accurate, complete, and properly finalized.
• Review payroll exceptions, investigate issues, and resolve complex payroll discrepancies.
• Manage special tax payments and executive compensation-related payroll requests.
• Support special compensation programs, including short-term and long-term incentive payment processing.
• Assist with payroll administration for new hire and internal transfer relocations, including related tax considerations.
• Support quarterly payroll tax filings and compliance reviews to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Coordinate year-end payroll activities, including planning, preparation, validation, and issue resolution.
• Ensure accurate processing and reporting of W-2 and 1099 forms in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct year-end audits and reconciliations to identify discrepancies and support timely corrections.
• Prepare, review, and validate payroll records for regulatory reporting and compliance purposes.
• Conduct payroll system testing for upgrades, enhancements, and new functionality to ensure accuracy and business readiness.
• Support payroll system configuration, validation, and troubleshooting to maintain reliable system performance.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for payroll technology, system processes, and tax engine functionality.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, improve, and streamline payroll processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and overall payroll process effectiveness.

Benefits

• competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• a company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior