Payroll & Tax Analyst

Stout; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Stout is seeking a Payroll & Tax Analyst to support multi-state payroll, tax compliance, and related reporting. You will collaborate with Finance, HR, Benefits and Legal, progressively taking on more ownership across Payroll and Tax.

The role covers reconciliations, year-end processing, audits and filings for W-2s, with opportunities to optimize controls and processes. Strong analytical skills and Workday experience are valued.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, accounting and numerical skills to research discrepancies and financial data.
• Knowledge of payroll, payroll tax, state and local tax and related compliance requirements.
• Experience with Workday Payroll and reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with payroll processing for multi-state employees.
• Support payroll tax and 401(k) reconciliations and audits.
• Prepare payroll reports for Finance, HR and external advisors.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve issues with vendors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Accounting

Payroll knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree (Accounting/Finance/Business Admin)

Tools

Workday Payroll

Excel

Job description

At Stout, we're dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do - we call it Relentless Excellence . Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.

The Payroll & Tax Analyst supports Stout's multi-state payroll and related tax compliance activities, including payroll processing, reconciliations, reporting and corporate tax support. The role serves as a resource to employees, works with Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Benefits, Legal, external vendors and tax advisors, and reports to the Tax Manager. The successful candidate will assume greater ownership across Payroll and Tax over time.

Impact You'll Make:

• Perform payroll, payroll tax and 401(k) reconciliations; research discrepancies; and support month-end payroll accruals, reporting and close activities.
• Support federal, state and local payroll tax compliance, including registrations, account maintenance, quarterly reporting, jurisdiction onboarding and closures, and year-end W-2 balancing and processing.
• Manage physical and electronic tax correspondence by receiving, logging, routing and tracking items; take increasing ownership of research and escalated matters requiring technical review or response.
• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and coordinate with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve issues accurately and timely.
• Maintain payroll and tax procedures, checklists, controls and supporting records, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce compliance risk.

What You'll Do:

Payroll Processing and Administration

• Serve as a backup Workday payroll processor for a semi-monthly payroll of more than 1,200 salaried and hourly employees across approximately 35 states, including regular, on-demand and off-cycle payrolls.
• Review payroll inputs and employee changes, including hires, terminations, compensation changes, paid time off, leaves, final paychecks, signing bonus repayments, and annual merit and promotion increases.
• Review hourly employee and subcontractor time entries, assist with subcontractor payment calculations, and administer 401(k), insurance, garnishments and other payroll deductions.

Reconciliation, Reporting, and Financial Support

• Perform payroll, payroll tax and 401(k) reconciliations; research discrepancies; and support month-end payroll accruals, reporting and close activities.
• Build and maintain recurring and ad hoc Workday reporting for Payroll, Tax, Finance, Human Resources, month-end close, external advisors and other business needs.
• Assist with payroll tax and 401(k) audits, examinations and annual nondiscrimination testing by compiling documentation and researching discrepancies.

Payroll Tax and Compliance

• Support federal, state and local payroll tax compliance, including registrations, account maintenance, quarterly reporting, jurisdiction onboarding and closures, and year-end W-2 balancing and processing.
• Research payroll tax requirements and agency notices, work with taxing jurisdictions and vendors to resolve issues, and monitor compliance with applicable payroll and tax requirements.

Corporate Tax Support

• Manage physical and electronic tax correspondence by receiving, logging, routing and tracking items; take increasing ownership of research and elevate matters requiring technical review or response.
• Prepare the monthly use tax accrual and calculation, complete related reconciliations, assist with internally prepared tax returns, and prepare annual business license filings and renewals.
• Support external tax preparers and advisors by compiling reports and documentation, responding to requests, assisting with return review and supporting tax research.

Employee and Cross-Functional Support

• Respond to employee payroll inquiries and coordinate with payroll vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve issues accurately and timely.

Controls, Documentation, and Process Improvement

• Maintain payroll and tax procedures, checklists, controls and supporting records, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce compliance risk.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support system enhancements, acquisitions, training, special projects, ad hoc reporting and overflow work, reprioritizing as needed to meet team deadlines.

What You Bring:

• Strong analytical, accounting and numerical skills, with the ability to research discrepancies and work with detailed financial and employee data.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, payroll, payroll tax, state and local tax, and related compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel; experience with large data sets, reconciliations and commonly used formulas and functions is preferred.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, internal stakeholders, vendors and external advisors.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Ability to handle confidential employee, payroll, tax and financial information with discretion and recognize matters requiring escalation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and assume greater ownership as knowledge and experience develop.

Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field required.
• Prior professional or internship experience in payroll, tax, accounting, finance or a related function is preferred; payroll and/or tax experience in an accounting-type role is beneficial.
• Previous Workday experience, particularly Workday Payroll and reporting, is preferred; multi-state payroll, payroll tax, state and local tax, reconciliation or general accounting experience is beneficial.

How You'll Thrive:

• Cultivate a positive, team-oriented approach that supports collaboration across Payroll, Tax and the broader organization.
• Demonstrate accountability and reliability by consistently completing work accurately and meeting payroll, tax and reporting deadlines.
• Exhibit an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to excellence, what we call Relentless Excellence, in all aspects of your work.
• Build effective working relationships with employees, internal stakeholders, vendors and external advisors.
• Communicate clearly and respond promptly when resolving payroll questions, discrepancies and compliance matters.
• Bring intellectual curiosity and strong attention to detail when researching issues and working with financial and employee data.
• Manage changing priorities effectively while maintaining accuracy in a deadline-driven environment.
• Continue developing payroll and tax knowledge and assume greater ownership as your experience grows.

Why Stout?
At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.
We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.
We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.
Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.
Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.

https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits

the specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Interested in joining a rapidly growing group of bright, ambitious professionals in a work environment that values culture, inclusion, and personal growth? Stout might just be the right place for you.