Payroll Tax Analyst

Company Description

ABOUT AWP SAFETY

AWP is North America’s leading traffic control specialist. Our team of over 9,000 professionals help secure 2,000 + work zones every day – ensuring customer crews, drivers, and our own teams get home safely. We protect those who operate, maintain, and upgrade infrastructure in the energy, broadband, and transportation sectors and provide traffic control for major events like the Boston Marathon.

Since our founding in 1981, we have served customers through the talent of extraordinary team members committed to customer focus, growth, valuing each other, safety and quality, and a sense of urgency.

AWP SAFETY CORE VALUES

Ownership, Trust, Teamwork

Job Description

The Payroll Tax Analyst is responsible for ensuring accurate calculation, reporting, and remittance of payroll taxes in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This role partners closely with Payroll, Accounting, Finance, and external tax vendors to manage payroll tax operations, resolve tax issues, support audits, and maintain strong internal controls. The ideal candidate brings deep payroll tax knowledge, strong analytical skills, and a proactive approach to compliance and process improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Manage end-to-end payroll tax activities, including calculation, withholding, remittance, and reporting of federal, state, and local payroll taxes.

- Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, filing requirements, and payment deadlines.

- Review, reconcile, and balance payroll tax liabilities and related general ledger accounts.

- Prepare and review payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-3, and applicable state and local filings; manage corrections and amendments as needed.

- Monitor and resolve payroll tax notices, discrepancies, penalties, and interest, including coordination with tax agencies and vendors.

- Maintain payroll tax setup and configuration within payroll systems to ensure accurate taxation.

- Perform wage and tax reconciliations and analyze variances to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

- Support internal, external, and government audits by providing documentation, reconciliations, and detailed explanations.

- Ensure compliance with SOX and other internal control requirements related to payroll tax processes.

- Collaborate with Accounting and Finance teams on payroll tax accruals, cash funding, and financial reporting.

- Manage tax tracer submissions and oversee timely and accurate vendor responses.

- Research payroll tax regulations and changes, assess impacts, and support implementation of required updates.

- Contribute to process improvements, documentation, and standard operating procedures to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in payroll tax, payroll accounting, or a related payroll finance role.

- Strong working knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, including multi-state taxation.

- Experience with payroll tax filings, amendments, and reconciliations.

- Solid understanding of payroll tax accounting, accruals, liabilities, and general ledger integration.

- Experience supporting mergers and acquisitions or payroll tax integrations.

- CPP or FCP certification preferred but not required

- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis.

- Experience with payroll systems and tax vendor platforms (e.g., UKG, ADP, Workday, Ceridian) preferred.

- Knowledge of SOX compliance, internal controls, and audit support practices.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and research skills with high attention to detail.

- Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex tax issues to non-technical partners.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while working independently and collaboratively.

Additional Information

- Benefits-eligible 1st of the month following hire.

- All traditional benefits are offered, including 3 medical plan options and 2 dental plan options, as well as additional benefits such as Legal and Identity Shield, Accident, and Critical Illness

- Company paid 50k in basic life insurance.

- Company paid LTD.

- Health Savings and Flex Spending Accounts Available

- 401(k)

- Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays

- AWP named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 and 2025 for Diversity

AWP Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.

AWP Safety is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability.