Senior Payroll Specialist

The Senior Payroll Specialist will assist the Manager of Payroll Services with maintaining compliance as it pertains to tax operations and all payroll compliance operating requirements. This position will assist with the processing of payroll and development of NRA and  internal payroll related policies and procedures.

• Manage the Non-Resident Alien process to ensure accurate withholding and reporting throughout the year.
• End to end processing of either Bi-Weekly and Semi-Monthly payrolls.
• Assist with the preparation and filing of the annual withholding tax return for U.S. source income of foreign persons (Form 1042S) and employee W-2s.
• Prepare Quarterly Reports for 941 and NYS45 filings.
• Track regular payroll and off cycle tax liabilities and send funding templates to finance.
• Understand federal and state statutes and apply them to non-resident employees ensuring university compliance.
• Accumulate and analyze data relating to foreign students and visiting scholars' tax status.
• Assist with the development and delivery of tax training for NRA employees on a quarterly basis.
• Interface with foreign students concerning tax issues associated with their VISA status.
• Maintain data integrity of tax related and payroll information within the Banner and Windstar Systems.
• Review all forms and documents required to be completed by foreign students and visiting scholars receiving scholarship or fellowship grants.
• Enter/Review correct earnings codes for nonresident aliens in the Banner and Windstar Navigator Systems.
• Analyze tax treaties and employee status.
• Assist with the process of Payroll Unclaimed Property.
• Understand NYS statutes and how it applies to university unclaimed wages.
• Partner with University Treasury Department to develop procedures to track and post unclaimed wages to the general ledger.
• Establish a system that identifies by calendar year all outstanding paychecks and steps taken to validate repayment to intended party.
• End to end processing of either Bi-Weekly and Semi-Monthly payrolls.
• Support departmental data uploads/downloads.
• Manage the Payroll Services Self Service Website.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree or certification in accounting or related field.
• 2-3 years’ experience in a Payroll Department.
• Prior knowledge of international tax compliance; research and problem analysis.
• Knowledge of payroll tax reporting.