Payroll Tax Risk and Controls Manager

Role Description

The Payroll Tax Risk and Controls Manager is responsible for building, implementing, and overseeing operational controls across the Payroll Tax Filing organization. This role will lead internal audits, risk assessments, control testing, and compliance initiatives to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll tax operations for clients.

• Create scalable control frameworks, identify operational gaps, monitor high-risk processes, and partner with leadership teams to improve service quality, reduce client risk, and strengthen accountability across teams.
• Support SOC compliance initiatives, audit readiness, process governance, and continuous improvement efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive controls framework for Payroll Tax Filing operations.
• Establish control standards, audit procedures, and monitoring processes across teams.
• Conduct internal operational audits to identify gaps, risks, and process failures.
• Perform recurring control testing to ensure procedures are operating effectively.
• Develop risk mitigation plans and partner with operational leaders on corrective actions.
• Monitor high-risk client accounts and operational trends to identify recurring issues.
• Support SOC audit activities, documentation, evidence gathering, and remediation tracking.
• Create reporting dashboards and metrics related to compliance, audit findings, operational health, and control effectiveness.
• Review workflows and identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process improvement.
• Ensure teams are following documented procedures, escalation protocols, and compliance requirements.
• Partner with leadership to establish governance standards and accountability measures.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for operational failures, missed filings, notices, penalties, or client escalations.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, control narratives, and standard operating procedures.
• Provide recommendations to improve operational accuracy, client satisfaction, and service delivery consistency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with payroll, tax filing, compliance, implementation, client services, and technology teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in payroll tax filing, payroll operations, compliance, audit, risk management, or operational controls.
• Experience creating or managing internal controls frameworks in a service-based or operational environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll tax filing processes, tax notices, amendments, agency compliance, and operational workflows.
• Experience conducting audits, control testing, process reviews, or compliance assessments.
• Knowledge of SOC controls, operational risk management, or governance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends and operational risks.
• Experience managing remediation efforts and driving process improvements.
• Ability to work across multiple teams and influence operational change.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills preferred.
• Experience working in high-volume, deadline-driven operational environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within payroll services, HCM, tax filing, or professional services organizations.
• Experience supporting SOC 1 or SOC 2 audits.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks.
• Experience with operational KPI reporting and service delivery metrics.
• Experience working with enterprise payroll platforms and tax filing systems.
• Prior experience in a consulting or advisory environment is a plus.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP).

Benefits

• Health coverage.
• Wellbeing programs.
• Paid leave (vacation, sick, parental).
• Retirement plans.
• Learning opportunities.
• And more.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Reduction in missed filings, penalties, and client escalations.
• Improved operational consistency across teams.
• Stronger audit readiness and compliance documentation.
• Increased visibility into operational risks and service gaps.
• Measurable improvement in client health and operational KPIs.
• Sustainable controls framework implemented across Payroll Tax Filing operations.

Company Description

Strada is a people, payroll, and technology leader simplifying international workforce management. Operating in 180+ countries, we design and deliver people-first solutions powered by cloud-based technology – helping organizations grow and enabling workforces to perform at their best.