Senior Accountant
University of Arizona- SIROW (Southwest Institute for Research on Women)
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Tempe • Arizona • United States
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Job Level
About the role
- Play a critical role in payroll, tax compliance, and financial reporting excellence
- The Senior Accountant must be detail-oriented and highly experienced with deep expertise in payroll accounting and tax compliance
- Responsible for managing complex payroll processes, ensuring accurate tax reporting, and supporting month-end close and financial reporting activities
- Oversee bi-weekly multi-state, multi-entity payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and academic employees (faculty, adjuncts, and staff)
- Ensure accurate recording of payroll, tax, benefits, bonuses, and related accruals
- Reconcile payroll accounts, benefits, and payroll liabilities on a per pay period basis
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll questions, external partners, and internal HR and accounting teams
- Maintain and improve payroll controls, processes, and documentation
- Manage federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, accounts, filings, and payments
- Review quarterly and annual payroll tax filings (e.g., 941, 940, W-2, W-3)
- Support sales and use tax, property tax, and other indirect tax filings as applicable
- Coordinate with external tax advisors on income tax provisions, audits, and notices
- Monitor changes in tax laws and ensure ongoing compliance
- Participate in month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis
- Prepare and review balance sheet account reconciliations
- Support financial statement preparation and audit requests
- Assist with internal and external audits, including payroll and tax-related items
- Identify opportunities to automate and streamline payroll and tax processes
- Strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with company policies and institutional guidelines
- Mentor junior accounting staff and provide technical guidance as needed
- Partner cross-functionally with HR, Division, and Finance leadership
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- 5 years or more of progressive accounting experience, with significant payroll and tax responsibility
- Strong knowledge of and proven experience with payroll accounting, payroll taxes, and multi-state compliance
- Ability to accurately and efficiently reconcile large data sets and multiple resources
- Ability to research tax regulation and work with external partners to ensure institution compliance
- Experience with payroll systems (e.g. Paylocity, ADP, Workday, Paychex, Gusto)
- Intimately familiar with US GAAP
- Strong attention to detail and able to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Has worked in a remote environment and comes with strong correlating work habits
- Has clear and succinct communication
- Leadership qualities and traits and has the desire to mentor
Benefits
- Highly competitive compensation
- Award winning culture
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Comprehensive benefits package with 100% company-paid medical option for employee
- 401(k) with generous company match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pet Insurance
- Company-paid Life insurance
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer time off!)
- 14 Paid holidays
- Referral program
- Education Tuition Benefit program
- Career development opportunities with a growing company
- A team who is dedicated to your success!
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
payroll accountingtax compliancefinancial reportingreconciliationjournal entriesvariance analysisdata analysismulti-state complianceaudit supportfinancial statement preparation
Soft Skills
detail-orientedstrong attention to detailclear communicationleadershipmentoringtime managementcross-functional collaborationproblem-solvingadaptabilityorganizational skills
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in AccountingBachelor’s degree in Finance