Payroll and Tax Specialist

LifeSkills Connection Inc.; Manning (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

LifeSkills Connection Inc. is seeking a Payroll and Tax Specialist to ensure accurate multi-state payroll processing and strict compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws across our government contracts and subsidiaries.

The role includes maintaining payroll records, reconciling tax liabilities, supporting audits, and safeguarding confidential information while using Paycor and QuickBooks Online for processing and reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience with multi-state payroll processing and payroll tax compliance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local wage, hour, and tax regulations (FLSA, SCA).
• Proficiency with Paycor and QuickBooks Online; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Process multi-state payroll through Paycor on schedule for all entities.
• Enter, review, and audit payroll data (new hires, terminations, changes).
• Manage wages, overtime, bonuses, and deductions per policy and law.
• Review timekeeping data and resolve discrepancies.
• Administer wage garnishments, child support, and tax levies.
• Process off-cycle and final paychecks as needed.
• Coordinate employee expense reimbursements within payroll.

Skills

Payroll processing

Payroll tax compliance

FLSA & SCA

Paycor

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Data accuracy

Confidentiality

Analytical skills

Communication

Independent & team

Education

Accounting degree (Assoc/Bachelors)

CPP or FPC preferred

Tools

Paycor

QuickBooks Online

Microsoft Excel

HRIS systems

Job description

Position: Payroll and Tax Specialist FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports to: Vice President of Finance POSITION Description: The Payroll and Tax Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll and for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws and reporting requirements across LifeSkills Connection, Inc. government contracts and subsidiaries. This position maintains payroll records, reconciles payroll tax liabilities, supports internal and external audits, and safeguards the confidentiality of employee and financial information. RESPONSIBILITIES: Payroll Processing

• Prepare and process accurate and timely multi-state payroll through Paycor on the established payroll schedule for all assigned entities and contracts
• Enter, review, and audit employee payroll data, including new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, direct deposit information, and status changes
• Enter, review, and verify wages, overtime, retroactive pay, bonuses, and other special payments processed through Paycor, in accordance with company policy and applicable law
• Review and reconcile timekeeping data, resolving discrepancies with supervisors and employees
• Administer wage garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other mandated deductions
• Prepare and process off-cycle, manual, and final paychecks through Paycor as needed
• Coordinate the collection, review, and processing of employee expense reimbursements through payroll, ensuring submissions are properly documented and approved prior to inclusion in the applicable pay cycle

Payroll Tax Compliance

• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, withholding requirements, and filing deadlines across all operating states and jurisdictions, coordinating with Paycor as the payroll tax filing agent
• Review and reconcile payroll tax deposits processed by Paycor, verify the accuracy of tax withholdings, and ensure timely remittance by the payroll provider
• Review quarterly and annual payroll tax returns filed by Paycor (e.g., Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-3, and state and local equivalents) for accuracy and completeness prior to and following submission
• Register and maintain state and local tax accounts for new work locations and jurisdictions
• Monitor changes in multi-state and multi-jurisdiction payroll tax law and update payroll systems and processes accordingly
• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities to the general ledger and research and resolve agency notices and discrepancies

Compliance & Recordkeeping

• Maintain accurate, confidential, and well-organized payroll and tax records in accordance with record retention requirements
• Ensure compliance with FLSA and Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determinations and other applicable wage-and-hour requirements for government contracts
• Maintain compliance with prevailing wage, fringe benefit, and certified payroll reporting requirements where applicable
• Support internal and external audits, including DOL, workers' compensation, and 401(k) audits, by providing documentation and reports

Reporting & Reconciliation

• Prepare and review payroll reports, including labor distribution, tax, and deduction reports, from Paycor and QuickBooks Online for finance and leadership
• Reconcile payroll-related general ledger accounts in QuickBooks Online (QBO) and assist with month-end and year-end close
• Prepare and post payroll journal entries to QuickBooks Online (QBO) following each payroll run, ensuring accurate allocation of wages, taxes, benefits, and deductions across entities and classes
• Reconcile the payroll clearing account in QBO against Paycor payroll funding transactions and resolve variances each pay period
• Support benefits, 401(k), HSA/FSA, and deduction reconciliations in coordination with Human Resources and Accounting

Employee Support & Collaboration

• Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, deductions, tax withholdings, and payroll policies
• Partner with Human Resources and Finance on new-hire setup, benefit deductions, and leave/PTO administration
• Provide guidance to site staff on timekeeping and payroll procedures

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be requested to perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate. It is also understood that the company reserves the right to change work schedules as required, including requiring overtime. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong knowledge of multi-state payroll processing and payroll tax compliance
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local wage, hour, and tax regulations, including FLSA and SCA
• Proficiency with payroll and HRIS systems (Paycor preferred) and cloud-based accounting software (QuickBooks Online preferred)
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and strong general computer skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential employee and financial information with discretion
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-changing environment
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A flexible, creative, entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated passion for the mission, vision, and values of LifeSkills Connection, Inc
• Able to take ownership and drive activities to completion

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Three or more years of multi-state payroll processing and payroll tax compliance experience
• Experience with government contracting and SCA/prevailing wage a plus
• Experience with payroll and HRMS/HRIS systems (Paycor experience a plus); familiarity with QuickBooks Online strongly preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook)
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) or FPC (Fundamental Payroll Certification) preferred
• Experience with a multi-industry business mix a plus

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance
• Full Health & Medical benefits (Dental, Health, Vision)
• 401k Retirement Plan, HSA, FSA
• Paid Holidays, PTO + More

LifeSkills Connection Inc. is committed to granting equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, marital status, height, weight, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected category. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Human Resources, 833-311-1661, for assistance.