Job Description

Direct Counsel is representing an Am Law 100 firm seeking a Payroll Tax Analyst in its Kansas City office.
Position Overview
The Payroll Tax Analyst will manage multi-state payroll tax compliance, reconciliations, and payroll processing for the firm. This role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented professional capable of operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with payroll taxes, tax reporting, and payroll systems, and will be able to adapt to the firm's evolving business needs.
Core Responsibilities
Payroll Tax Reporting and Compliance (25%)
Prepare and submit required federal, state, and local payroll tax reports.
Reconcile quarterly and annual tax filings.
Verify and balance payroll registers against tax deposits and reports.
Maintain federal, state, and local tax accounts, including SUI accounts.
Track and manage tax setups for remote employees.
Prepare tax adjustments and coordinate with payroll vendors.
Stay current on federal, state, and local tax regulations.
Tax Guidance and Support (25%)
Serve as primary contact for tax agencies, audits, and reconciliations.
Provide guidance to Payroll, HR, and employees regarding tax matters.
Manage Power of Attorney forms for tax agencies.
Prepare local tax refund request letters for employees in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Advise Shareholders on tax rates for regular, off-cycle, and fiscal year-end payrolls.
Sick Leave/PTO Plan Management (20%)
Create and modify PTO and sick leave plans in payroll systems in coordination with HR.
Research state sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave regulations, particularly for remote employees.
Payroll Operations (20%)
Review tax withholdings and supplemental withholdings for shareholder off-cycle and bonus payrolls.
Assist with semi-monthly staff and monthly shareholder payroll processing, including pay rate/status updates, manual checks, off-cycle payrolls, and wire transfers/Same Day ACH processing.
Additional Responsibilities (10%)
Perform other duties as assigned to support the Payroll and Finance teams.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field.
3-5 years' experience with multi-state payroll taxes and reconciliations.
5-7 years' payroll processing experience.
Proficiency in UKG/UltiPro payroll system preferred; experience with iManage Records Manager, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. Advanced Excel skills preferred.
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
Work Arrangement
This position offers flexible work arrangements. Employees approved for flexible work schedules are expected to maintain reliable, consistent attendance during scheduled work hours and remain accessible via Zoom, email, voicemail, and phone.

Skills Required