Senior, Employment Tax & Payroll Analyst

Vast•Long Beach, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Vast is seeking a Senior Employment Tax and Payroll Analyst to support payroll and employment tax operations as the organization grows. Reporting to the Director, Finance, this position is a key member of the Finance team and is responsible for accurate, compliant payroll tax operations across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The role partners with People Operations, Finance, and external tax providers to manage compliance, resolve complex issues, improve processes, and support timely payroll operations. It is a full-time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California. The analyst processes semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll, manages multi-state and multi-entity payroll tax requirements, oversees tax filings and year-end activities, reconciles payroll data, responds to tax agency notices, and supports audits and payroll operations. The role uses payroll, HRIS, tax, timekeeping, and Excel tools to analyze data and identify trends or discrepancies. The position may require travel up to 10% and overtime or weekend work to support critical mission milestones.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in payroll, employment tax, payroll accounting, or a related function, with significant experience managing payroll tax compliance.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment tax regulations and payroll compliance requirements.
Experience managing payroll tax filings, deposits, reconciliations, notices, and year-end reporting.
Experience with multi-state payroll and employment taxation.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Advanced proficiency with Excel and experience analyzing large payroll and tax datasets.
Experience working with payroll systems, HRIS platforms, and/or payroll tax providers.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
Ability to handle confidential payroll, compensation, and employee tax information with integrity and discretion.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across Finance, People Operations, and other departments.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
The person hired must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting payroll and employment tax operations in aerospace, technology, manufacturing, or another high-growth environment.
CPP (Certified Payroll Professional), FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification), or another relevant payroll or employment tax certification.
Experience with payroll and HRIS systems such as Rippling, ADP, Workday, Paychex, UKG, or similar platforms.
Experience managing payroll tax obligations across multiple states and local jurisdictions.
Experience working with payroll tax filing providers and resolving federal, state, and local tax agency notices.
Experience with payroll accounting, general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close.
Knowledge of expatriate, nonresident, equity compensation, supplemental wage, or other complex payroll tax considerations.
Experience developing payroll controls, audit procedures, dashboards, and process improvements.
Strong understanding of payroll data integrations between HRIS, payroll, timekeeping, accounting, and tax systems.

Responsibilities

Process semi-monthly and bi-weekly payroll transactions, including salaries, shift differentials, premiums, benefits, garnishments, taxes, deductions, tax position changes, and adjustments.
Ensure accurate FICA withholding and compliance for multi-entity payroll arrangements.
Follow federal, state, and local wage laws, IRS guidelines, and tax regulations across payroll activities.
Manage multi-state payroll tax requirements, including state registrations, withholding accounts, unemployment taxes, local taxes, and other applicable jurisdictional requirements.
Provide guidance on compensation-related taxability and IRS rules for fringe benefits and assignments.
Oversee quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, W-2, W-2C, 940, state unemployment filings, and applicable state and local returns.
Support year-end payroll activities, including W-2 preparation, tax reconciliation, employee tax inquiries, and coordination with external payroll and tax providers.
Analyze and reconcile payroll data, including W-2 reconciliations, monthly allowances, imputed income, benefit deductions, and leave-of-absence compensation.
Process payroll updates accurately and on time, including new hires, terminations, pay classifications, time zones, and rate changes.
Monitor payroll tax notices from federal, state, and local agencies and coordinate responses, payments, corrections, and resolutions.
Prepare and maintain payroll records and reports while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
Facilitate audits by providing payroll records, tax filings, and other documentation.
Monitor tax law updates, resolve tax filing variances, and correct out-of-balance conditions and filing discrepancies.
Use payroll, HRIS, tax, and timekeeping systems, as well as Excel, to analyze payroll and employment tax data and identify trends or discrepancies.
Support payroll operations as needed to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.

Benefits

Company equity for full-time employees.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
Generous paid time off.
Up to 20+ vacation days for exempt staff and up to 10+ vacation days for non-exempt staff, with the ability to cash out unused vacation annually.
Paid parental leave.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
ClassPass credits.
Personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health.
Other discounts and perks.
Free snacks, drip coffee, onsite barista service, cold drinks, and dinner meals; subsidized lunch.