The Payroll Specialist supports US and Canada Payroll processing. This includes processing activities, audit and control activities, and system maintenance and upgrades. The role will report to our Payroll Manager. This role is based out of our Chicago office with a hybrid / flexible in-office requirement.
Key responsibilities
- Meet all Payroll processing deadlines for monthly and bi-weekly payrolls.
- Meet all payroll tax obligations utilizing ADP Smart compliance.
- Reconcile quarterly tax filings for 3 entities, resolve exceptions, approve ADP processing files.
- Run audits and reconciliations for annual W2 forms.
- Resolve employee W2 discrepancies.
- Calculate W2 corrections and submit amendments.
- Review ADP Smart Compliance daily for alerts and notifications.
- Work with ADP to register for new state income and unemployment taxes.
- Follow up on tax notices with ADP and state agencies.
- Ensure State Unemployment Rates are accurate in ADP and PeopleSoft.
- Resolve employee paycheck issues which may include calculating over payments and resolving state tax issues.
- Knowledge of state tax regulations and multi-state work tax situations.
- Active participation in system upgrades and tax updates including testing in multiple database environments.
- Update Company State Tax tables for Company unemployment rates, regularly audit UI rates against ADP tax records.
- Proactively work all Tax inquiries and notices. Follow up with ADP and taxing authorities to resolve inquiries.
- Work with HRIS to implement enhancements/changes to the payroll system.
Who you are
After nearly 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections—between facts, figures, insights, strategies, tools, technologies, and above all, people. That’s why we look for collaborative, insightful, and inquisitive problem-solvers who don’t accept the first thing in front of them and who are always unapologetically themselves.
We want to hear from you if you:
- Have at least 3 years of experience working in Payroll Tax.
- Understand employee tax withholding types (federal, state, FICA) and methods (percentage, supplemental, aggregate).
- Are organized and have high quality standards.
- Possess excellent verbal & written communication skills.
- Able to work independently and on teams.
- Have strong knowledge of MS Office, especially Excel.
- Hold an undergraduate degree or have equivalent educational experience.
- Are fluent in English.
- Knowledge of ADP Smart Compliance – Employment Tax Service.
What we can offer you
Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them to make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to:
- Generous retirement/pension savings contributions.
- Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and their families.
- Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities.
- Personalized opportunities to help you chart a unique career journey to pursue your own personal and professional goals.
Equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination
Kearney prides itself on providing a culture where our employees belong and thrive equally, which means our people feel comfort, confidence, and joy as they do great things for our firm, our colleagues, and our clients. That’s why Kearney is committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive environment. Kearney is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage everyone to apply, including those who may not feel historically represented in consulting.