Payroll Tax Specialist

Are you seeking the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and be part of a team?

Do you consider yourself a self-starter and a hard working problem solver with good organizational skills and the capability to handle multiple priorities?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a Payroll Tax Specialist to help us prepare, process, and file payroll taxes in accordance with governing FLSA and IRS regulations and APL policy. If you are a candidate with a strong focus on partnering and continuous process improvement, who is meticulous and demonstrates excellent organizational, prioritization and interpersonal skills, then this is the role for you.

As a Payroll Tax Specialist...

• Your primary responsibility will be to use Workday and MasterTax to prepare, reconcile, and remit state payroll taxes (monthly, quarterly, yearly), reporting, amended returns, and W2s for 9,000+ staff across multiple states. Your attention to detail and flexibility is crucial to ensuring accurate payment, compliance with internal governance and external regulations, and adaptability as requirements change and/or evolve.
• We expect you to investigate, analyze, and resolve non-routine state tax issues. Your inquisitive nature and investment in growth and development will be instrumental in offering ideas to improve overall payroll and tax practices.
• Using your strong interpersonal and communication skills, you will respond to and support customer inquiries (APL staff, Accounting, and taxing authorities) and sensitive and confidential matters that fosters a trustworthy and collaborative environment. Applying your critical thinking and effective problem-solving skills will help safeguard sensitive information and deliver timely, relevant solutions.
• You will perform other payroll duties as assigned, including Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audit requests.

Note: This job summary and listing of duties describes the position and its essential functions at the time of hire and may change over time.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or other Business-related field or equivalent years of work experience with payroll
• Have 3 or more years of work experience with payroll tax filings
• Demonstrate working knowledge of HRIS/Payroll systems and multi-state payroll experience
• Have basic knowledge of automated time and attendance system(s)
• Are excellent at multitasking, extracting data needs, prioritizing assignments, communicating progress, and meeting deadlines
• Exhibit outstanding attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Are able to succeed in a dynamic work setting that emphasizes teamwork
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate at all organizational levels
• Exhibit a self-starter mentality, shows initiative, and resolves challenges independently and in a team-based setting
• Have a strong desire to learn and can easily adapt to changing environments
• Show a proficiency in working with Microsoft Office suite of products (Word, Excel, Outlook) -- strong Excel knowledge expected
• Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, as required to access APL's facilities and networks, subject to applicable laws

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience with in-house Time and Attendance, HRIS, and/or Payroll applications
• Have processed payroll for a large organization (5,000+ staff)
• Have exposure to in-house management of short-term disability
• Maintain a professional payroll certification, such as Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
• Have experience in a Department of Defense (DoD) or Government contracting environment.

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Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.