ISC PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT

Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: May 26, 2023

Job Description:

If you are using a screen reader and experience any difficulty accessing our web pages, please call 206-543-2544 or email UWHires and we will be happy to assist you. jump to content Job Location Detail: Hybrid Available, Office located in Seattle Posting Date: 02/15/2023 Closing Info: Closes On 03/01/2023 Other Compensation: Union Position: Yes Shift: First Shift Benefits: 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. 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.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Integrated Service Center (ISC) provides 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 ISC Tax and Accounting Manager, the ISC Payroll Accountant will perform as a member of a team dedicated to executing Tier 2 - Payroll transactional functions within the ISC framework.

More specific responsibilities will include: ensuring completion of of regular and recurring moderately complex accounting functions for assigned payroll transactions, support and file employment taxes, develop accounting policies based on federal and state employment tax regulations, assist 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 within the ISC to address escalated inquiries (i.e., working effectively within the framework of a multi-tiered customer inquiry and issue resolution model, including ISC Tier 1 first point of contact for questions and walk-in services and ISC 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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under general supervision, the incumbent will play a critical role in delivering quality payroll results. They will be focusing on federal and state employment taxes while providing a high level of customer service to the organization. The Payroll Tax and Accounting team has responsibility for executing designated payroll processes, including payroll inputs and taxes, filing reports with state and federal agencies, tracking withholding orders, complying with payroll tax rules and regulations, determining foreign national payroll tax exemptions, analyzing payroll transactions to determine accurate processing, preparing adjustments as needed, reconciling reports and ledger accounts and addressing escalated customer inquiries.

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.
  
  Program Management
  
  
• Assist tax team to coordinate associated tax events and activities.
  
• Assist tax team to develop accounting policies 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 prioritize 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 to the ISC 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 license/certification/registration.
  
  
• 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 strict 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.
  Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .
  
  Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTEmployees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

Keywords: University of Washington, Seattle , ISC PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT, Accounting, Auditing , Seattle, Washington