Job Information
University of Washington PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT in Seattle, Washington
Req #: 233824
Department: ENTERPRISE SERVICES
Posting Date: 05/03/2024
Closing Info: Closes On 05/17/2024
Salary: $5,114 - $6,874 per month
Shift: First Shift
Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-summary-classified-staff-greater-than-half-time-20220908_a11y.pdf)
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The University of Washington’s Payroll Office has an outstanding opportunity for a Payroll Accountant providing centralized support for HR/Payroll inquiries and transactions at the University of Washington. Positions in this class series provide specialized payroll inquiry and transactional services including but not limited to payroll tax support.
Reporting to the Tax and Accounting Manager, the Payroll Accountant (E S SEIU 925 Non Supv) will perform as a member of a team dedicated to executing Tier 2 - Payroll transactional functions within the framework.
More specific responsibilities will include: ensuring completion of regular and recurring moderately complex accounting functions for assigned payroll transactions, support and file employment taxes, support accounting policies based on federal and state employment tax regulations, support in the development and implementation of procedures to ensure compliance, including internal controls, develop and manage queries and reports, respond to payroll tax inquiries, research pay related issues, support successful execution of payroll processes, and coordinate with a combination of HCM, Benefits, and Payroll resources to address escalated inquiries (i.e., working effectively within the framework of a multi-tiered customer inquiry and issue resolution model, including Tier 1 first point of contact for questions and walk-in services and Tier 2 – Payroll operational transaction support for more advanced inquiries). As a member of a team focused on continuous improvement, this role will also be expected to identify process issues, escalate opportunities for improvement and advance recommended solutions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employment Tax Programs
Support multiple federal and state year end tax reporting (Form W2, Form 1042s, 1099R, etc.)
Preparation and remittance of Social Security, Medicare, and Federal withholding taxes on behalf of the University of Washington
Assist with foreign national tax program (tax treaties, FICA exemption status etc.)
Analyze, prepare and file (quarterly tax reporting) for multiple state taxes
Research tax discrepancies and resolve
Address tax inquiries from employees and agencies
Ensure that there are effective policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations
Reconcile payroll general ledger accounts
Monitor bank activity and assist in bank reconciliation
Assist in development of unit goals and measurements
Assist in the development of unit policies and procedures
Support compliance & reporting of involuntary withholding ordersProgram Management
Assist tax team to coordinate associated tax events and activities.
Assist tax team to develop accounting policies to support to support tax program.
Coordinate external opportunities to partner with process partners and the State of Washington.
Ensure compliance with university, federal and state regulations that govern the activities of the program.
Independently assess work duties and workload in order to priories and manage tasks and timelines.Customer Service Support
Contribute to an outstanding customer-service environment, including strong collaboration with other team members and subject matter experts external as required.
Utilize UWConnect to facilitate management of inquiries/issues in accordance with established protocols.
Train internal staff to aid in the support of the tax program.
Respond to customer inquiries, including problem resolution, regarding federal and state taxes and other employment taxes.
Improve tax program using continuous process improvement tools.
Assist in the development of customer service goals and measurements.
Communicate tax policies and procedures.
Establish mechanisms to review and follow up on assigned work within unit, to ensure accuracy and timeliness to meet customer and program needs.Support Other Payroll Office Activities
Assist in other Payroll activities, as needed.
Using LEAN methodology to ensure that there are effective policies and procedures along with internal controls to manage payroll payments, voluntary deductions, and overpayments meet state and federal regulations along with state and federal laws.
Participate in LEAN activities. This includes using metrics to achieve results, and improve processes.
Complete special assignments as assigned by the director or manager.
In conjunction with the managers performs duties of the Director in her/his absence.
Perform related duties as required. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
A Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, or closely related field that includes thirty quarter hours or twenty semester hours of college-level accounting courses.
Three years of experience working in a payroll related role, including working knowledge of key payroll transactional processes, accounting standards and taxation requirements. Two years of working experience processing transactions in the payroll domain.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Payroll experience.
The ability to demonstrate excellent administrative experience skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
The ability to demonstrate excellent accounting skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Experience with multiple levels of customer service tools/techniques.
The ability to demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills.
Experience working under high regulatory requirements. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with Workday - UW payroll system.
Experience supporting employment tax regulations.
Experience working a LEAN environment.
Demonstrate advance skills in Excel.
Excellent oral and written communications.
Ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.