Payroll Tax Manager

Payroll Specialist II

The Payroll Specialist II is responsible for processes and activities related to tax and/or compliance in the Payroll Department. This includes the timely processing of tax and/or general ledger activities in compliance with bank policies, procedures, guidelines and all federal, state and local regulations.

Depth & Scope

• Demonstrates deep expertise across a broad range of products, services, systems, and processes within their domain, with a strong understanding of cross-functional interdependencies and enterprise-wide impact. Proactively identifies, investigates, and resolves complex, non-standard operational, reporting, compliance and process challenges with minimal guidance
• Drives measurable improvements in quality, efficiency, and strategic outcomes across multiple business units or functional areas
• Makes informed decisions on process optimization and capacity planning, guided by enterprise frameworks, while balancing operational continuity and long-term scalability
• Translates complex technical and procedural information into actionable insights; sets clear performance expectations and navigates sensitive or high-stakes issues with discretion and influence
• Acts as a Payroll subject matter expert in compliance activities

Education & Experience

• Undergraduate degree
• 5+ years relevant experience
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the operating environment, business process and procedures, and transaction lifecycle for own area
• Requires general understanding of the overall function and/or businesses supported
• Organized self-starter with excellent analytical, problem-solving and time management skills
• Detail oriented, high level of accuracy and ability to work independently
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong PC skills including Microsoft Office, Excel, Access and PowerPoint
• Strong customer orientation, interpersonal and communication skills to deal effectively with all levels of staff

Customer Accountabilities

• Performs payroll tax analysis duties including reconciling periodic & quarterly tax information, working with tax agency representatives to resolve outstanding issues, researching tax tracers/notices
• Creates and modifies reports as needed
• May generate standard and ad hoc reports for management review and analysis
• Coordinates the maintenance of payroll records and reports including the generation of tax forms and other reports required by regulation
• Ensures accuracy of reports and adherence to regulatory requirements
• May work with federal/state/provincial personnel and payroll vendor to resolve escalated issues as needed
• Supports acquisition activity including setting up location codes, notifying state agencies, auditing reports and completes unusual and non-routine issues
• Responsible for various routine duties reconciling all tax reports and quarterly files in conjunction with the third-party provider, monitoring audit reports and working with payroll processors to make sure transactional work is properly adjusted
• Responsible for the monthly/quarterly/annual reporting to all federal and provincial authorities as required
• Maintains current knowledge of related processes and procedures
• Develops and implements procedures to ensure resolution to recurring issues
• Interacts with various employees in cross-functional areas to resolve issues and develop solutions
• Makes process improvement recommendations to management and assists in the planning and implementation of solutions
• Responds to and resolves inquiries from management regarding payroll issues, findings or other inquiries
• Researches escalated inquiries regarding tax or accounting transactions
• Accountable for identifying and escalating compliance risks, control gaps, and emerging regulatory issues
• Supports the remediation of findings classified as either formal issues or MUCs (Matters Under Consideration), ensuring alignment with the Issues Management Framework and timely resolution
• Acts as a liaison for internal and external audits, ensures that all documentation and evidence required for testing are complete and submitted on time. Supports audit readiness and helps track the execution of remediation plans.
• Serves as key contributors to compliance-related projects, ensuring that deliverables are met and that changes are implemented in accordance with regulatory expectations. This includes supporting regulatory change management initiatives and participating in cross-functional reviews
• Acts as a key contributor to projects impacting payroll, ensuring deliverables are completed and documented in partnership with Payroll Leadership
• Contributes to the design and optimization of payroll processes to maintain compliance and improve efficiency

Shareholder Accountabilities

• Prioritizes and manages own workload to meet SLA requirements for service and productivity
• Consistently exercises discretion in managing correspondence, information and all matters of confidentiality; escalates issues where appropriate
• Be knowledgeable of practices and procedures within own area of responsibility and keep abreast of emerging trends for own functional area
• Protects the interests of the organization – identifies and manages risks, and escalates non-standard, high-risk transactions / activities as necessary
• Conducts internal and external research projects; supports the development/delivery of presentations / communications to management or broader audience
• Conducts reporting and/or meaningful analysis at the functional or enterprise level using results to draw conclusions, make recommendations, assess the effectiveness of programs/ policies/ practices
• Monitors service, productivity and assesses efficiency levels within own function and implements continuous process / performance improvements where opportunities exist
• Acquires and applies expertise in the discipline, provides guidance, assistance and direction to others
• Identifies, recommends and effectively executes standard practices applicable to the discipline
• Adheres to internal policies/procedures and applicable regulatory guidelines
• Keeps abreast of emerging issues, trends, and evolving regulatory requirements and assesses potential impacts
• Maintains a culture of risk management and control, supported by effective processes in alignment with risk appetite
• May lead work streams by acting as a project lead / subject matter expert for small scale projects / initiatives in accordance with project management methodologies

Employee/Team Accountabilities

• Participates fully as a member of the team, supports a positive work environment that promotes service to the business, quality, innovation and teamwork and ensures timely communication of issues/ points of interest
• Supports the team by continuously enhancing knowledge / expertise in own area and participates in knowledge transfer within the team and business unit
• Keeps current on emerging trends/ developments and grows knowledge of the business, related tools and techniques
• Participates in personal performance management and development activities, including cross training within own team
• Keeps others informed and up to date about the status / progress of projects and/or all relevant or useful information related to day-to-day activities
• Contributes to the success of the team by willingly assisting others in the completion and performance of work activities; provide training, coaching and/or guidance as appropriate
• Contributes to a fair, positive and equitable environment that supports a diverse workforce
• Acts as a brand ambassador for your business area/function and the bank, both internally and/or externally

Physical Requirements

Never: 0%; Occasional: 1-33%; Frequent: 34-66%; Continuous: 67-100%

• Domestic Travel – Occasional
• International Travel – Never
• Performing sedentary work – Continuous
• Performing multiple tasks – Continuous
• Operating standard office equipment - Continuous
• Responding quickly to sounds – Occasional
• Sitting – Continuous
• Standing – Occasional
• Walking – Occasional
• Moving safely in confined spaces – Occasional
• Lifting/Carrying (under 25 lbs.) – Occasional
• Lifting/Carrying (over 25 lbs.) – Never
• Squatting – Occasional
• Bending – Occasional
• Kneeling – Never
• Crawling – Never
• Climbing – Never
• Reaching overhead – Never
• Reaching forward – Occasional
• Pushing – Never