Payroll Tax Specialist - BankUnited

SUMMARY: The Payroll Tax Specialist ensures accurate and compliant payroll tax filings and equity compensation reporting. This role manages tax processing for payroll and equity awards like RSUs and PSUs, resolves discrepancies and collaborates with internal teams to ensure timely and error-free submissions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties and special projects may be assigned.

* Review and update new hires to ensure that their profile is active by their start date.

* Keep up to date with current developments affecting government reporting and payroll taxes.

* Conduct research and analysis on payroll tax issues and work with the IRS, State and Local agencies to ensure proper resolution of discrepancies and compliance.

* Correspond with IRS, State and Local agencies in the normal course of business to ensure issue resolutions.

* Assist with multi-state payroll tax registration, setup and filings to ensure smooth payroll operations and accurate tax reporting.

* Perform monthly payroll tax audit to ensure employee records are accurate and reporting to correct state.

* Ensure compliance with federal, state and local payroll tax laws and regulations, including timely of payroll taxes.

* Respond to employee inquiries related to payroll taxes and tax forms.

* Monitor changes in payroll tax rates and ensure the payroll system is updated accordingly.

* Perform audit and reconciliation of executive compensation including stock options, incentive pay and deferred compensation.

* Process Positive Pay.

* Provide support for internal and external audits.

* Assist for preparing annual W-2s. Includes auditing of employee balances, configuration, and understanding of taxability for various earnings/deductions to ensure proper reporting.

* Produce accurate and effective information using ADP queries and reporting tools.

* Work in conjunction with the accounting department to investigate and resolve payroll tax discrepancies through reconciliation of payroll tax accounts, tax payments and flings.

* Calculate and verify the number of shares vesting on each vesting date according to the closing stock price.

* Work with payroll and accounting teams to ensure vested shares are properly accounted for and included in employee compensation.

* Ensure that appropriate taxes are withheld on vested shares and that tax obligations are accurately reflected in payroll and tax reports.

* Support special projects, system processing and testing, and other business needs as needed.

* Adheres to and complies with applicable, federal and state laws, regulations and guidance, including those related to anti-money laundering (i.e. Bank Secrecy Act, US PATRIOT Act, etc.).

* Adheres to Bank policies and procedures and completes required training.

* Identifies and reports suspicious activity.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance, generally plus 4 years of progressively responsible experience in payroll tax reporting with a large, multi-state entity required. May accept alternate suitable combination of education, experience or training.

EXPERIENCE

* Experience with ADP preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

* CPP certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

* Ability to conduct tax research using internet and other published sources.

* General knowledge of state and local tax laws and regulations, as well as basic understanding of GAAP.

* Great communication skills (oral and written); communicate effectively with regulatory agencies, tax reviewers, state and local auditors, independent auditors, lawyers, support peers, end users, and all levels of corporate management.

* Strong interpersonal skills; participate in a team environment and build strong working relationships.

* Strong project management skills; time management skills; multi-task and prioritize workloads; demonstrated analytical capabilities; effectively identify and resolve problems in high visibility, high stress situations; ability to understand and interpret tax laws and regulations and then apply them to company operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled