How You'll Make an Impact:The Payroll and Tax Manager oversees all payroll operations for a mid-sized organization and manages a small payroll team consisting of one Senior Payroll Administrator. This role ensures accurate and timely processing of multi-state payroll, maintains compliance with federal and state regulations, and partners with HR, Finance, and leadership to support business initiatives. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and able to both manage and actively participate in day-to-day payroll execution.
- Oversee the end-to-end processing of bi-weekly payroll for all employees (hourly and salaried).
- Review and validate payroll prepared by the Sr. Payroll Administrator.
- Ensure the accuracy of employee data, including deductions, garnishments, withholding elections, and compensation changes.
- Ensure accurate and timely payroll tax filings at federal, state, and local levels
- Manage audits, inquiries, and tax notices
- Monitor legislative changes and ensure ongoing compliance
- Audit payroll reports, general ledger files, and tax filings for accuracy.
- Identify and implement effective and efficient processes and system improvements.
- Troubleshoot and understand payroll system, to ensure maintaining up to date knowledge of system and functionality.
- Manage year-end processes, including W-2s, taxable benefits, and reporting.
Compliance & Controls
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, payroll tax regulations, and company policies.
- Evaluate, enhance and maintain internal controls and document payroll procedures.
- Coordinate with external auditors and manage payroll-related inquiries.
- Stay informed about regulatory changes affecting payroll (FLSA, tax changes, multi-state rules, etc.).
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Supervise, mentor, and support the Senior Payroll Administrator.
- Partner with HR on onboarding, terminations, compensation adjustments, and benefits integration.
- Support Finance with payroll accounting, GL reconciliation, and reporting requirements.
- Implement payroll metrics and utilize payroll data to make informed decisions and to provide senior leadership with payroll metrics, analysis, forecasting and insights.
- Serve as system administrator for the payroll/HRIS platform.
- Lead payroll process improvement initiatives to increase accuracy and efficiency.
- Work with IT, HR, and Finance to streamline workflows and optimize system capabilities.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
How You'll Strengthen Our Team:Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 5-7+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll
- Strong knowledge of payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance requirements.
- Proficiency with payroll/HRIS systems (ADP, Workday, UKG, Ceridian, Paycom, etc.).
- Excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and confidentiality.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage deadlines with a small team.
- Ability to work hybrid in our corporate office in Mclean, VA.
- Ability to flex hours to accommodate payroll needs which might include occasional evenings and some weekend work
Preferred Qualifications: - Prior supervisory experience
- CPP certification a strong plus.
- Experience utilizing Workday and/or implementation of Workday
