Payroll Tax Manager

Acrisure; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Acrisure, a global Fintech leader, seeks a Payroll Tax Manager to lead our payroll tax function across federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico jurisdictions, overseeing 160+ FEINs and year‑end filings. You will drive compliance, process improvements, and partner with Payroll, Finance, HR, and vendors.

Ideal candidates have 7–10 years of progressive payroll tax experience, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance, and proven leadership. Workday Payroll and ADP experience are a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll tax operations in a large, multi-state organization.
• Expert knowledge of federal/state/local/territorial payroll tax regulations.
• Experience overseeing payroll tax filings (Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-2C) and related local filings.

Responsibilities

• Lead payroll tax operations across federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico jurisdictions.
• Oversee payroll tax compliance for 160+ FEINs.
• Ensure accurate quarterly and annual tax filings and year-end reporting.
• Govern payroll tax adjustments and reserves; resolve complex notices.
• Partner with third-party vendors to resolve tax issues.
• Coach and mentor Payroll Tax team members; drive process improvements.

Skills

Payroll tax leadership

Multi-state payroll tax

Forms 941/940/W-2 processing

ADP payroll vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/HR/Business

Tools

Workday Payroll

ADP SmartCompliance

ADP Tax Services

Job description

A global Fintech leader, Acrisure empowers millions of ambitious businesses and individuals with the right solutions to grow boldly forward. Bringing cutting-edge technology and top-tier human support together, we connect clients with customized solutions across a range of insurance, reinsurance, payroll, benefits, cybersecurity, mortgage services – and more.

In the last twelve years, Acrisure has grown in revenue from $38 million to almost $5 billion and employs over 19,000 colleagues in more than 20 countries. Acrisure was built on entrepreneurial spirit. Prioritizing leadership, accountability, and collaboration, we equip our teams to work at the highest levels possible.

Job Summary:

The Payroll Tax Manager is responsible for leading the organization's payroll tax function, ensuring compliance with federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico payroll tax regulations across more than 160 FEINs. This role oversees payroll tax operations, quarterly and annual filings, tax adjustments, year-end reporting, legislative compliance, and continuous process improvements while providing leadership, coaching, and technical expertise to the Payroll Tax team. The Payroll Tax Manager partners closely with Payroll Operations, Finance, HR, third-party vendors, and government agencies to ensure accurate tax reporting and minimize organizational risk.

Responsibilities:

Payroll Tax Operations & Compliance

• Lead payroll tax operations across all federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico jurisdictions.
• Oversee payroll tax compliance for more than 160 FEINs.
• Ensure accurate quarterly and annual tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2s, W-2Cs, and applicable state and local filings.
• Oversee balancing activities prior to tax filing submission.
• Ensure compliance with tax deposit schedules and filing deadlines.

Payroll Tax Adjustments & Issue Resolution

• Own governance and approval of payroll tax adjustments.
• Review and approve complex payroll tax corrections and amended filing recommendations.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex tax notices, audits, and agency inquiries.
• Partner with third-party tax vendors to resolve significant payroll tax issues.

Legislative & Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes impacting payroll taxation.
• Evaluate business impacts and implement required payroll tax changes.
• Ensure payroll tax procedures, system configurations, and team processes remain compliant.
• Communicate legislative updates and provide guidance to Payroll and cross‑functional partners.
• Lead, coach, develop, and mentor Payroll Tax team members.
• Provide technical guidance and serve as the team's escalation resource.
• Oversee workload distribution, training, and performance development.
• Promote continuous learning and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Oversee year‑end payroll tax activities including W‑2 balancing, validation, corrections, and distribution.
• Maintain strategic partnership with ADP Tax Services (or third‑party vendor).
• Review vendor performance and drive issue resolution.

Process Improvement

• Lead initiatives that improve payroll tax accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Establish and maintain internal controls.
• Identify automation opportunities and reduce manual processes.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Experience leading payroll tax operations within a large, multi-state organization
• Expert knowledge of federal, state, local, and Puerto Rico payroll tax regulations
• Experience overseeing payroll tax compliance across multiple legal entities and FEINs
• Experience managing quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, W-2C, and applicable state and local filings
• Experience overseeing payroll tax adjustments, reconciliations, audits, and agency correspondence
• Experience managing third‑party payroll tax vendors such as ADP SmartCompliance
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, project management, and process improvement experience
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting organizations with 100+ legal entities and complex payroll structures
• Experience implementing legislative or regulatory payroll tax changes
• Experience supporting payroll tax integration activities for mergers and acquisitions
• Experience with Workday Payroll
• Experience leading cross‑functional payroll tax initiatives and process improvements

Education and Experience:

Required Qualifications

• 7 – 10 years of progressive payroll tax experience, including leadership responsibilities
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)