Sr. Accountant I, Payroll & Tax

UT Tyler; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TRS retirement plan

Job summary

The University of Texas System Administration in Austin seeks an experienced payroll and tax professional to support payroll preparation, tax reporting, and compliance across multiple states. The role collaborates with HR, Accounting, Legal, and IT to ensure accurate processing and regulatory adherence.

Preferred candidates hold advanced degrees in accounting or finance, with demonstrated experience in payroll systems and government or public-sector operations.

Qualifications

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance with related experience.
• Experience in payroll administration and payroll tax reporting preferred.
• Experience with multistate payroll tax compliance is a plus.
• Familiarity with Form 1099, 1042, W-2, and 941 filings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support payroll preparation, auditing, processing, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Assist with payroll-related accounting transactions and tax reporting.
• Research and resolve payroll issues and employee inquiries.
• Coordinate with HR, Accounting, Legal, IT on payroll operations.
• Prepare reports for management, auditors, and regulators.

Skills

Manages Complexity

Communicates Effectively

Financial Acumen

Tech Savvy

Business Insight

Relationship Management

Education

Master’s degree in accounting or finance

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

PeopleSoft HRMS

Microsoft Excel

Financial systems

Job description

About Us

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans — and people all over the world — through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, four health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 160,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System’s thirteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

Purpose of Position

Perform professional payroll, tax compliance, and accounting work in support of UT System Administration. The role is responsible for payroll tax reporting, multistate employment tax compliance, Forms 1099 and 1042 reporting, payroll reconciliations, and related regulatory requirements. The position supports payroll operations and develops expertise across all phases of payroll administration to strengthen operational continuity, compliance, and customer service.

Essential Functions

• Support payroll preparation, auditing, processing, reconciliation, and reporting activities.
• Assist with payroll-related accounting transactions and tax reporting.
• Research and resolve payroll issues, exceptions, and employee inquiries.
• Develop expertise in payroll processes, controls, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate and support multistate payroll tax compliance, including employee withholding, registration, filing, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare, review, and maintain reporting related to Forms 1099, 1042, W-2, 941, and other federal and state filing requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assist with implementation of tax compliance requirements.
• Research tax issues and document compliance requirements and recommended solutions.
• Coordinate with constituent institutions to obtain information, respond to inquiries, and support systemwide tax compliance efforts.
• Collect, analyze, reconcile, and validate payroll and tax data.
• Prepare reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for management, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Identify discrepancies, compliance concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Ensure payroll and tax activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Document and maintain payroll and tax procedures and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Accounting, Legal, Information Technology, and other stakeholders to support payroll and tax operations.
• Participate in system testing, special projects, and process improvement initiatives.
• Assist in evaluating legislative, regulatory, and administrative developments affecting UT System Administration and constituent institutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Manages Complexity: Analyzes complex payroll, tax, and compliance issues and develops practical solutions.
• Ensures Accountability: Delivers accurate, timely work and follows through on commitments.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and service delivery.
• Communicates Effectively: Clearly communicates technical information to diverse audiences.
• Plans and Aligns: Prioritizes work to meet recurring deadlines and organizational objectives.
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, knows when to act independently and when to escalated issues. Integrates various inputs, decision criteria, and trade-offs to make effective decisions. Typically makes good independent decisions.
• Financial Acumen: Interprets and applies key financial indicators to make better business decisions. For example, determines and estimates the main direct and indirect costs; makes generally appropriate decisions regarding expenditures. Studies financial and quantitative information; uses data to improve performance.
• Tech Savvy: Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. For example, investigates technologies to learn some cutting-edge best practices. Uses digital/social media to benefit the team and add value to the work being done; understands how to avoid misuse of these tools.
• Business Insight: Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals. For example, clearly understands how own activities relate to critical business drivers. Monitors business news and market changes for impact on the business or on own expertise area; uses this to shape decisions.

Skills

• Payroll Processing: Applies knowledge of payroll operations, controls, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Payroll Tax Compliance: Supports federal and state payroll tax filings and reporting requirements.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Collects, analyzes, and interprets payroll and tax data to support decision-making.
• Database Reporting: Utilizes reporting tools and queries to retrieve, analyze, and present information.
• Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, payroll systems, and financial systems.
• Research and Problem Solving: Researches regulations, identifies solutions, and recommends corrective actions.
• Review and Reporting: Prepares reports, reconciliations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Document Management: Maintains accurate records, procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Compliance Monitoring: Evaluates activities for adherence to laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Relationship Management: Effectively collaborates with constituent institutions and internal stakeholders to support tax compliance objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in accounting or finance and 2 years of related experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and 4 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in payroll administration, payroll tax reporting, or employment tax compliance.
• Experience with multistate payroll tax compliance.
• Experience preparing or reviewing Forms 1099, 1042, W-2, and 941.
• Experience with PeopleSoft HRMS and/or Financials.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience in higher education, governmental, or public-sector operations.
• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), CPA, or related professional certification.

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Uses standard office equipment
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours
• Hybrid work environment (remote & office)

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in TRS is mandatory.

A background check will be conducted on candidates under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request form the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas System Administration is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at [e-mail] .