Payroll Manager Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field required
• Current and valid CPA, CPP, or JD/LL.M. (Tax)
• 4.5+ years of experience in employment tax, payroll tax, or compensation and benefits, ideally within a public accounting, consulting, or complex corporate environment
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with major payroll/HRIS platforms and payroll tax software strongly preferred

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a Big 4, national public accounting firm, or employment tax specialty practice strongly preferred
• Strong technical knowledge of federal, state, and local employment tax rules, payroll reporting requirements, and year end processes
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple engagements, prioritize competing deadlines, and coordinate cross functional teams
• Familiarity with AI-assisted tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, etc.) a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multi state payroll tax and employment tax projects for corporate and private equity–backed clients, from planning through delivery.
• Oversee reviews of payroll processes, HRIS/payroll system configurations, and tax filing workflows to identify compliance gaps, control weaknesses, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Assess federal, state, and local employment tax compliance (including income tax withholding, FICA/FUTA, SUTA, and local payroll taxes) and recommend practical remediation steps.
• Direct the preparation, review, and reconciliation of payroll tax returns, amended filings, and related schedules (e.g., Forms 941/940, W 2/W 3, 1099, and state/local returns).
• Manage client payroll tax registrations, account maintenance, and closures, including state unemployment insurance rate analyses and experience transfers.
• Lead diagnostic reviews related to executive compensation, fringe benefits, equity awards, and special payments (e.g., bonuses, severance, nonqualified plans) to evaluate employment tax treatment and reporting.
• Support clients with payroll and employment tax implications of transactions and organizational changes, including mergers, acquisitions, spin offs, and payroll/HRIS implementations or conversions.
• Uncover and pursue employment tax refunds, overpayments, and available credits arising from corporate transactions, restructurings, or historical filing errors.
• Represent clients in federal, state, and local payroll tax audits and inquiries, including issue analysis, documentation support, and audit response coordination, issue resolution, and appeals support.
• Draft clear, concise technical memoranda, findings reports, and client correspondence on payroll and employment tax issues.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting payroll and employment taxes and communicate relevant updates to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff on engagements, including workplan development, on the job training, and constructive feedback.
• Collaborate with other Forvis Mazars tax, advisory, and audit teams to deliver coordinated services and integrated client solutions.
• Contribute to practice growth through participation in proposals, presentations, thought leadership, and other business development activities.

Benefits

• group health plan benefits
• 401(K)
• bonuses
• profit-sharing contributions
• flexible time off
• parental leave