Senior Payroll & Retirement Plans Lead

David Cutler Accountants + Advisors; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Professional development (Becker, LInK

Job summary

The Payroll Manager leads payroll and retirement-plan execution for a portfolio of client businesses within Client Accounting Services. This hands-on supervisory role manages delivery, develops assigned staff, coordinates external providers, and processes payroll when needed.

The Tax team determines tax positions, wage instructions, plan design, and contribution strategy; this role implements those decisions, verifies completion, and escalates changes rather than independently redesigning the

Qualifications

• 4–6+ years in US tax or tax-side payroll for closely held businesses.
• Hands-on retirement-plan experience covering contributions, funding, testing, and filings.
• End-to-end payroll platform knowledge and multi-state filings experience.
• Ability to explain payroll and plan implications to clients (S corp/partnerships).
• Supervisory experience with coaching and review of complex workpapers.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio planning and delivery against payroll calendars and client expectations; process payroll when needed.
• Verify payroll setup, changes, reports, and cash requests per Tax-team instructions; distinguish taxes vs. retirement funding.
• Oversee federal and multi-state payroll filings, registrations, notices, and reconciliations; coordinate issues with Tax.
• Capture taxable benefits and W-2 items before year-end; monitor inactive accounts and gaps in processing.
• Verify deferrals, matching, and employer contributions for 401(k), profit-sharing, SEP, and SIMPLE plans.
• Ensure plan contributions arrive on time; track funding timing and follow up on corrections.
• Coordinate Form 5500 filings/extensions and actuarial valuations with third-party providers.
• Serve as day-to-day client contact; explain payroll matters clearly and conduct quarterly reviews.
• Review payroll workpapers; coach staff and manage delegation and deadlines.
• Monitor engagement scope and risks; improve workflows with standards and automation.

Skills

US tax payroll

Retirement plan experience

End-to-end payroll

S corporations & partnerships

Supervisory experience

Client communication

Project management

Education

CPA or EA credential

Tools

ADP

Payroll platform proficiency

401(k) plan administration tools

Job description

The Payroll Manager leads payroll and retirement-plan execution for a portfolio of client businesses within Client Accounting Services. This hands-on supervisory role manages delivery, develops assigned staff, coordinates external providers, and processes payroll when needed.

The Tax team determines tax positions, wage instructions, plan design, and contribution strategy; this role implements those decisions, verifies completion, and escalates changes rather than independently redesigning the