PAYROLL COMPLIANCE ANALYST

Company: University of Washington
Location: Seattle
Posted on: March 19, 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: This is a hybrid position in an open office environment. 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.

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.

POSITION PURPOSE
The Integrated Service Center (ISC) supports the University's faculty, staff and student workers by serving as a first point of contact for designated HR and Payroll inquiries and by processing a limited scope of centralized Human Capital Management (HCM) transactions (i.e., within the HR, Benefits and Payroll domains). The hallmarks of the ISC is in delivering services that are timely, accurate and highly attuned to the fast-paced university environment.

Reporting to the ISC Tax Reporting Manager, the Payroll Compliance Analyst will provide analytical support and expertise to a team dedicated to executing payroll tax processing/transactional functions within the ISC framework. More specific responsibilities will include analyzing payroll data, general ledger reconciliations, filings and reporting, and reporting metrics, leading development of payroll procedures, supporting successful execution of payroll processes as required, and coordinating with a combination of HCM, Benefits, and Payroll resources within the ISC, finance transformation and advanced domain experts external to the ISC to address escalated inquiries. As a member of a team focused on continuous improvement, this role will also be expected to identify process issues, assess opportunities for improvement and advance recommended solutions in support of Workday Finance transformation.

In order to be successful, the incumbent will need to exhibit a high level of payroll expertise and knowledge in areas of pay processing including tax compliance and demonstrate a keen attention to detail while remaining aware of broader University objectives along with federal, state, and university policies, procedures and laws required to meet compliance. Additionally, the role will require strong analytical acumen, an ability to prioritize multiple timelines, and competing goals, play a critical role in delivering quality payroll results, and excellent documentation skills

Position Complexities

• Complete assignments in a timely and accurate manner with minimal supervision, including payroll transactions and deductions, reporting/auditing, data analysis, and payroll transactional processes such as vendor payments, on-cycle and off-cycle check processing, overpayments, and other payroll duties as needed which could include check reviews and approvals.
  
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including the ISC, UW-Finance, UW-HR, Academic Personnel and UW-IT.
  
• Provide high quality customer service in the context of a multi-tier customer inquiry and issue resolution model, including ISC Tier 1 first point of contact for questions and walk-in services, ISC Tier 2 operational transaction support and advanced domain support external to the ISC.
  
• Adhere to established payroll operations protocols and standards, ensuring timely, accurate and compliant delivery of data.
  
• Leverage end-to-end insight across the spectrum of payroll transactions, exercising cognizance of foundational design concepts, data conventions and workflow dependencies.
  
• Manage high-volume workloads by multi-tasking, coordinating with peers and communicating with customers as required.
  
• Balance complex and competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
  
  Position Dimensions and Impact to the University
  The Integrated Service Center (ISC) will deliver a high level of service to customers by collaborating effectively with stakeholders across campus and facilitating employees' Human Resources (HR), Academic HR and Payroll inquiries and transactions in an efficient, accurate and compliant manner.
  
  This role will be responsible for supporting the Payroll function of the ISC in their efforts to assist campus with the transition of the new Financial Data Model in completing overpay and retroactive payroll transactions due to the implementation of Workday Finance.
  
  In this capacity, the incumbent will play a critical role in analyzing payroll data and reporting metrics, participate in the development of payroll reports and procedures and supporting successful execution of payroll processes as required. This role will assist in the final transformation of payroll processes due to the implementation of Workday Finance. Understanding of current (legacy) processes and documentation of process changes will be a priority for this role. This will include coordination with HCM, Benefits, and resources within the ISC and advanced domain experts external to the ISC to address escalated inquiries and issues.
  
  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  
  Payroll Analysis and Reporting/Filing (60%)
  
• Analyzes payroll transaction, data, processes and deduction data and reporting metrics.
  
• Lead multiple federal and state year-end tax reporting/filing processes for Form W2, Form 1042s, 1099R, etc.
  
• Develops systems and measurements to support process improvement.
  
• Supports all data requirements/system requirements for Payroll Tax and Accounting including preparation and remittance of Social Security, Medicare, and Federal withholding taxes on behalf of the University of Washington.
  
• Analysis data trends to support business decisions and processes including developing and documentation of processes.
  
• Compiles data from multiple data sources (UW systems, Washington State and third party systems) for reporting.
  
• Uses analytical tools such as SQL Server, Microsoft Reporting Services, Access, Excel and/or similar applications to extract and analyze large volumes of payroll data.
  
• Coordinates reconciliation for month end and year end close and reporting.
• Ensures completion of assigned payroll transactions including tax and accounting in accordance with established standards.
  
  Transactional Payroll Processes (30%)
  
• Supports successful execution of payroll processes as required, including payroll, tax and accounting transaction and processes and related reporting, reconciliations, and tax filings/payments.
  
• Assist in other payroll activities as needed.
  
• Analyzes and identifies process improvement opportunities to streamline workflow and deliver enhanced customer service to the organization.
  
• Supports timely resolution of complex issues/inquiries including customer inquiries.
  
• Coordinates with other ISC resources to address escalated inquiries as required.
  
• Contributes to an outstanding customer-service environment, including strong collaboration with other team and subject matter experts external to the ISC as required.
  
• Assist in training activities for Payroll (internal and external).
  
• Utilizes ServiceNow to facilitate management of inquiries/issues in accordance with established protocols.
  
  ISC Services Support (10%)
  
• Supports periodic Workday update processes, including Payrolls testing activities.
  
• Supports ISC knowledge management processes, including identification and verification of additions/changes to the working repository of knowledge content.
• Supports ISC training activities, including development and verification of relevant content.
  
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Economics, Human Resources, Public Administration or Business Administration or related field or experience.
  A minimum 4 years of experience working in payroll, accounting or HCM/HR related role, including working knowledge of University of Washington HR and payroll policies.
  
  Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
  
  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  
• Working experience processing transactions in the payroll/finance domain demonstrating excellent accounting skills/knowledge with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
  
• Working knowledge of data analysis, metrics and reporting.
  
• Demonstrated experience using Excel, and strong data mining skills.
  
• Experience documenting processes and workflows.
  
• Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
  
• Extensive experience interacting with customers, including resolution of complex inquiries and efficient performance during high-volume timeframes.
  
• Demonstrated excellent written/oral communication skills, technical documentation skills, user liaison skills, and personal interaction abilities.
  
  DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  
• Working knowledge of data analysis, metrics, and reporting.
  
• Working knowledge of Workday and other University of Washington systems.
  
• Experience supporting system testing and/or data validation activities.
  
  CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  
• Work in an open office environment and contribute to collaborative team work focused on problem-solving.
  
• Daily interactions with other team members, subject matter experts and stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  
• While the general working hours are within Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., the Payroll Business Analyst will, on occasion, need to adjust hours to accommodate the business needs and deadlines
  
• A satisfactory outcome from a criminal history verification may be required prior to hire.
  
  Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. 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 .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 . 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 , PAYROLL COMPLIANCE ANALYST, Professions , Seattle, Washington