Payroll Tax Assistant I

Payroll Tax Assistant I

Position Type: Full Time, Employee


Salary Range: $24.00 - $29.00 hourly, DOE; may be eligible for bonus

Location: This position is based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA and may be eligible for hybrid work after a 90-day probationary period (not fully remote).

About the Company:
Ensign Services, Inc. ("ESI") is a subsidiary of The Ensign Group, Inc., whose affiliated entities are considered national leaders in the fast-growing post-acute care industry. ESI provides service and support to over 378 facilities in the long-term care continuum that employ over 55,000 employees.

ESI is known as the "Service Center" and provides the facilities and leaders it serves with "back-office" support in areas such as accounting, construction, compliance, human resources, information technology, learning and development, legal and risk management and recruiting. This structure allows the onsite leaders and caregivers to focus on day-to-day care and operational issues in their individual operations. What sets ESI apart from other companies is the quality of our most valuable resource - our people.

We take our core values of Celebration , Accountability , Passion for Learning , Love One Another , Intelligent Risk Taking , Customer Second , and Ownership ("CAPLICO") seriously. We want an individual in this role who will demonstrate these values through actions and words.


About the Opportunity

We are looking for a detail-oriented and numbers-driven Payroll Tax Assistant to join our payroll team. In this role, you will be the backbone of our tax compliance efforts, assisting the senior tax analyst in ensuring that our employees are paid accurately and that all local, state, and federal tax obligations are met on time.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys the "puzzle" of tax codes and wants to build a career in specialized payroll accounting.

What You'll Do

• Tax Compliance & Filing: Support the preparation and timely filing of quarterly and annual payroll tax returns, including Forms 940, 941, and related state and local filings.
• Agency Correspondence: Review, research, and respond to notices from the IRS and state and local tax agencies to resolve questions or discrepancies.
• Data Validation: Perform ongoing audits of payroll data to ensure accurate tax jurisdiction setup, including for new hires and remote employees.
• Year-End Support: Assist with year-end payroll tax activities, including W-2 balancing, auditing, and employee distributions.
• Reconciliations: Complete monthly reconciliations of payroll tax accounts to the general ledger and assist with resolving variances.
• Research: Monitor changes in payroll tax laws and regulations and help assess impacts to existing processes and procedures.

What You'll Bring

• High school diploma required, some college coursework or equivalent related experience preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience supporting high-volume payroll processing; entry-level role with strong growth opportunities.
• Basic working knowledge of Workday HCM and ADP Tax solutions, preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to review and interpret payroll and tax data.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Above-average Excel skills, including the ability to analyze and work with large data sets.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to complete work accurately and on time in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Collaborative team player who works well with others across functions.

Why Join Us

• Build a Specialized Career: Gain hands-on experience in payroll tax compliance-a highly valued and in-demand specialty within payroll and accounting.
• Learn From Experienced Professionals: Work closely with seasoned payroll and tax leaders who are invested in your training, development, and long-term success.
• Make a Real Impact: Your work directly supports accurate employee pay and compliance across a large, multi-state organization.
• Growth-Focused Environment: Join a company that values learning, process improvement, and internal career progression.
• Supportive Team Culture: Be part of a collaborative, Service Center environment where teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement are encouraged.
• Stability and Purpose: Contribute to an organization that supports essential healthcare services and continues to grow nationwide.
• Competitive Total Rewards: Enjoy strong benefits, development resources, and a hybrid work option after the initial onboarding period.

Additional Information:

• This position is based onsite at the Service Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
• Pre-employment criminal background screening required.

What We Offer
We are committed to providing a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical/dental/vision coverage, company-provided life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and sick/vacation plans. Additionally, enjoy access to our fully equipped onsite gym (San Juan Capistrano office location). We also believe in supporting our employee's professional growth and development through our Learning Management System as well as training sessions and seminars. Take a look at these benefits (and more!) at


Ensign Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io.


Job ID 1428