Senior Payroll Tax Accountant

Unifi is the nation’s largest aviation services provider, with over 45K team members and a global footprint spanning over 240 airports in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe. We deliver reliable, high-quality aviation services that support global travel and the world’s leading airlines. At Unifi, you’ll be part of a diverse, inclusive team where passion, integrity, and empathy are at the core of what we do.

We are seeking a Senior Payroll Tax Accountant with strong multi-state payroll tax expertise and hands-on experience managing payroll tax systems, reconciliations, compliance, and audits. This role will serve as a subject-matter expert for payroll tax matters, with particular emphasis on UKG configuration and administration, tax reporting, complex tax research, and the management and resolution of federal, state, and local payroll tax audits .

The Senior Payroll Tax Accountant will partner closely with Payroll, Accounting, Human Resources, tax authorities, and internal and external auditors to ensure accurate and timely payroll tax compliance. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and experienced in identifying root causes, resolving discrepancies, and developing sustainable processes for complex payroll tax scenarios.

Key Responsibilities

- Audit payroll balance sheets, year-to-date (YTD) earnings, tax liabilities, and payroll tax accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Prepare, generate, and review weekly, monthly, and quarterly payroll tax reports and reconciliations.
- Research, investigate, and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, reconciliation issues, and compliance matters.
- Manage and coordinate payroll tax audits , including gathering documentation, researching tax authority inquiries, responding to audit requests, identifying discrepancies, and partnering with internal stakeholders and tax agencies through resolution.
- Serve as the primary liaison with federal, state, and local tax authorities, internal auditors, and external auditors regarding payroll tax matters.
- Research complex payroll tax issues and provide recommendations for resolution, including multi-state and local tax requirements.
- Reconcile impounded tax accounts to payroll on a weekly basis and investigate variances.
- Review and maintain state and local tax codes and tax configurations within UKG , making adjustments and corrections as necessary.
- Develop, document, and maintain payroll tax processes within UKG , including solutions for unique, complex, and non-standard tax scenarios.
- Leverage payroll and tax systems to identify compliance risks, improve reporting accuracy, automate processes, and strengthen payroll tax controls.
- Perform month-end and year-end payroll accounting activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
- Lead year-end payroll tax activities in preparation for W-2 reporting , including extensive analysis and validation of tax data.
- Review assessed value notices, research discrepancies, and communicate findings and recommendations to Management.
- Assist the Payroll Director with monitoring and managing state unemployment tax rates and related compliance activities.
- Identify root causes of payroll tax issues and develop corrective actions and process improvements to prevent recurrence.
- Maintain accurate documentation of payroll tax processes, system configurations, audit findings, reconciliations, and resolutions.

Required Qualifications

- 3+ years of comprehensive multi-state payroll and payroll tax experience , preferably in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.
- 3+ years of month-end and year-end close experience , including journal entries, account reconciliations, and analysis.
- Demonstrated experience with payroll tax audits , including managing audit requests, researching discrepancies, preparing supporting documentation, communicating with tax authorities, and driving issues through resolution.
- Strong hands-on experience with UKG payroll and tax functionality , including tax code configuration, troubleshooting, reporting, and resolution of complex tax scenarios.
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements , withholding, unemployment taxes, tax reporting, and payroll tax administration.
- Experience researching and resolving payroll tax discrepancies and reconciling payroll tax liabilities and accounts.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes, collect and analyze data, draw sound conclusions, and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to develop, document, and improve payroll tax processes and system controls.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, audits, and projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with Payroll, Accounting, HR, Management, auditors, and tax authorities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field preferred.

Preferred Experience

- Advanced UKG payroll tax configuration and troubleshooting experience.
- Experience managing multi-state payroll tax audits from initial notice through final resolution .
- Experience with payroll tax notices, assessments, unemployment tax rates, and agency correspondence.
- Experience supporting or leading W-2 and year-end payroll tax processes.
- Experience developing standardized processes for complex or unique payroll tax scenarios.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between payroll systems, tax engines, general ledger accounting, and payroll tax reporting .

" Unifi is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or veteran status."