Staff Accountant

Workwell; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Workwell is seeking a detail-oriented Staff Accountant (Payroll Tax) to join our Finance team in San Diego. You will ensure payroll taxes are calculated, filed, remitted, and reconciled across multiple jurisdictions while supporting month-end close and financial reporting.

You will collaborate with Payroll, Finance, and external providers to maintain compliance, improve processes, and ensure accurate financial data for a workforce of ~3,000 across the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 2-4 years of accounting experience, ideally including payroll tax responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Experience supporting payroll tax compliance within a multi-state organisation.
• Familiarity with payroll tax reporting: Forms 940, 941, and W-2.

Responsibilities

• Support federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance across operating jurisdictions.
• Assist with timely filing and remittance of payroll taxes (Forms 941/940, etc.).
• Manage SUI/SUTA compliance and maintain tax rates in payroll systems.
• Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and support month-end close.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, and external providers on filings and documentation.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Payroll knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline

Tools

Sage

Job description

We're looking for a detail-oriented Staff Accountant (Payroll Tax) to join our Finance team. This role combines core accounting responsibilities with payroll tax compliance, supporting a workforce of nearly 3,000 employees across multiple states and jurisdictions.

As an Employer of Record (EOR), payroll tax compliance is a critical part of our business. You'll play an important role in ensuring payroll taxes are calculated, filed, remitted, and reconciled accurately and on time, while also supporting month-end close activities, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Working closely with Payroll, Finance, and external providers, you'll help maintain compliance, improve processes, and ensure financial data is accurate and reliable.

What You'll Be Doing

Payroll Tax Compliance

• Support federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance across all operating jurisdictions.
• Assist with the timely filing and remittance of payroll taxes, including federal withholding tax, FICA, FUTA, Forms 941 and 940, and state and local payroll taxes.
• Manage State Unemployment Insurance (SUI/SUTA) compliance, ensuring tax rates are maintained and updated accurately within payroll systems.
• Register and maintain payroll tax account as the organisation expands into new states and local jurisdictions.
• Reconcile payroll tax liabilities and investigate discrepancies between payroll records, filings, and the general ledger.
• Research and resolve notices received from tax authorities, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and documented appropriately.
• Stay informed of payroll tax legislation and regulatory changes, supporting the maintenance of compliance processes and documentation.

Accounting & General Ledger

• Prepare and post journal entries, including payroll-related accruals, benefits allocations, prepaid expenses, amortisations, reclassifications, and fixed asset activity.
• Maintain accurate general ledger records and ensure transactions are recorded in line with accounting standards and company policies.
• Support the month-end close process through timely preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with variance analysis and provide explanations for account fluctuations where required.

Reconciliations & Financial Accuracy

• Reconcile balance sheet accounts, including payroll tax liabilities, cash, accruals, and prepaid accounts.
• Identify and investigate discrepancies, escalating issues where necessary.
• Review financial transactions for accuracy, coding, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare adjusting entries and corrections when required.

Collaboration & Audit Support

• Partner closely with Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and other Finance team members to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Liaise with third-party payroll and tax providers to support payroll tax filings and account maintenance.
• Respond to queries relating to payroll tax, accounting transactions, and account balances.
• Support internal and external audits by gathering documentation and providing information as required.

We'd Love To Hear From Someone Who

• Holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline, or has equivalent relevant experience.
• Has 2-4 years of accounting experience, ideally including payroll tax responsibilities.
• Possesses a strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
• Has experience supporting payroll tax compliance within a multi-state organisation.
• Understands payroll tax reporting requirements, including Forms 940, 941, and W-2 reporting.
• Has experience using ERP or accounting systems such as Sage, alongside payroll and tax-filing platforms.
• Is highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working with large data sets.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Can manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Communicates effectively and enjoys collaborating with colleagues across different functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within an Employer of Record (EOR), Professional Employer Organisation (PEO), staffing, or high-volume payroll environment.
• Experience supporting a large geographically dispersed workforce.

Why Join Workwell?

At Workwell, we're on a mission to simplify workforce management and create better experiences for businesses and employees alike. You'll join a collaborative team where your expertise will directly contribute to maintaining compliance, supporting growth, and improving financial processes across the organisation.

Additional Information

Employment Type is Full-time, Exempt
Travel - Minimal travel required (5% or less)
Please note that this job description is intended to provide an overview of the role and responsibilities. Duties may evolve over time in line with business needs.
Brand: Workwell North America
Territory: America
Location: San Diego, California
Salary: $65,000 - $70,000
Workplace: Hybrid
Experience: Mid
Hours: Mon – Friday