Sr Payroll & Tax Analyst

We are looking for a Sr Payroll & Tax Analyst to join our team in Northbrook, Illinois in a contract-to-permanent capacity. This position is suited for a sr payroll & tax analyst who combines strong technical knowledge with a careful, analytical approach to ensure accurate pay processing and compliance across a multi-state employee population. The role will work closely with finance and internal stakeholders to support reliable payroll operations, strengthen controls, and maintain adherence to tax and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for a large employee base, ensuring payments are completed accurately and on schedule, including variable compensation and other specialized pay items.

• Update and maintain payroll records, earnings and deduction setups, and system parameters to support precise payroll calculations and policy compliance.

• Coordinate payroll funding activities, including payment transmissions for employees and applicable benefit or third-party remittances.

• Collaborate with accounting teams on payroll-related journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and month-end close support.

• Review and reconcile payroll, tax, benefit, and liability balances to maintain accurate records and support audit preparedness.

• Oversee payroll tax administration by setting up and closing tax accounts, maintaining authorization documentation, and monitoring third-party tax service arrangements.

• Verify proper withholding and reporting for federal, state, and local payroll taxes across multiple jurisdictions.

• Examine payroll tax filings prepared by external providers, resolve tax notices through research and agency follow-up, and help ensure timely payments and submissions.

• Assist with year-end payroll activities, including validation and distribution support for W-2 reporting.

• Track payroll-related regulatory updates and implement required process or system adjustments to maintain ongoing compliance.Sr

Qualifications:

• Proven experience managing full cycle payroll processing for a workforce of 500 or more employees.
• Hands-on knowledge of multi-state payroll practices, including tax withholding, filings, and compliance requirements.
• Strong proficiency with ADP Workforce Now and Workday, including payroll and HRIS functionality.
• Demonstrated ability to reconcile payroll data, identify discrepancies, and resolve issues with a high level of accuracy.
• Experience supporting accounting processes tied to payroll, such as journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for analysis, auditing, and payroll reporting.
• Solid understanding of payroll controls, year-end reporting, and coordination with third-party tax or payroll vendors.

Compensation

$34.84-$40.34 Hourly

About Us

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles.

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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.

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