Accounting Manager, Payroll Tax & Compliance

About this role

Capitalizing on over 140 years of history and tradition in downtown Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) is looking for skilled, motivated professionals to help forge the future of higher education.

The USC Finance Division, USC Payroll Services, is seeking an Accounting Manager, Payroll Tax & Compliance to join its team.

This position offers a primarily hybrid work arrangement, with four days remote and one day on-site each week. The hybrid work arrangement may change at any time to accommodate university needs.

Candidates considering this opportunity will join USC Payroll Services , a central university department that supports payroll operations across campuses, including its medical enterprise. Payroll Services oversees a broad range of critical functions, including payroll tax reporting, fringe benefit accounting, payroll system configuration, paycheck issuance, and other related audit and compliance reporting.

Supporting more than 46,000 W-2 employees , including faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and student workers across more than 40 states , Payroll Services collaborates with university stakeholders, external vendors, and government agencies to deliver accurate, timely, and compliant payroll operations while navigating an evolving multi-state regulatory environment.

Position Overview

The Accounting Manager, Payroll Tax & Compliance provides management oversight and technical expertise for payroll tax accounting and compliance across the university. This role is responsible for overseeing monthly, quarterly, and year-end payroll tax reporting and serves as a subject matter expert on complex payroll tax, accounting, and regulatory matters.

This is a hands-on people management role with responsibilities divided approximately 50% between team leadership and 50% hands-on payroll tax, accounting, compliance, and technical work. The Accounting Manager leads a team of five accounting staff and is responsible for providing coaching, technical guidance, and professional development. The successful candidate is an adaptable and collaborative leader who builds trust, encourages accountability and open communication, and is committed to supporting the growth and development of team members.

On a day-to-day basis, the Accounting Manager reviews and validates payroll tax reports, accounting analyses, reconciliations, and payroll ledger activity; investigates and resolves discrepancies; and provides guidance on complex accounting and compliance matters. The manager also evaluates government correspondence and regulatory requirements, determines appropriate actions, and works with internal and external partners to resolve issues in a timely manner.

The Accounting Manager serves as the university's lead ADP Administrator for payroll tax filing and reporting, with responsibility for supporting tax configuration and ensuring the accuracy of regulatory reporting. Working extensively with ADP, Workday, and other tax reporting systems, the manager supports testing and implementation of regulatory changes, and continuous process improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

The position operates in a deadline-driven environment where monthly reconciliations lead into quarterly and annual reporting requirements. Calendar year-end and fiscal year-end are two major reporting cycles requiring significant preparation and coordination. Success requires strong accounting judgment, attention to detail, sound decision-making, and the ability to meet critical deadlines under pressure.

Key Accountabilities • Oversees the preparation, review, and timely filing of federal, state, and local payroll tax returns, as well as required survey reports, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

• Serves as a subject matter expert on payroll tax matters, advising leadership and cross-functional teams on complex compliance issues while leading payroll tax audits and inquiries by coordinating responses, providing documentation, and resolving issues with tax authorities.

• Collaborates with internal stakeholders and external vendors and agencies, including ADP, the IRS, and state agencies, to ensure efficient payroll tax operations and timely resolution of issues.

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of five accounting staff, providing technical guidance, feedback, mentorship, and professional development while fostering accountability, trust, and open communication.

• Reviews and validates payroll tax reports, reconciliations, accounting analyses, and payroll ledger activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, appropriate accounting treatment, and compliance with established requirements.

• Oversees monthly payroll accounting reconciliations in preparation for quarterly and annual tax filings, regulatory reporting, and calendar and fiscal year-end requirements.

• Reviews and interprets government correspondence, notices, and evolving federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements; determines appropriate actions and assesses impacts on payroll practices, reporting, and system configurations.

• Applies GAAP principles and CPA-level accounting judgment to payroll tax accounting, reporting, reconciliations, and complex compliance matters.

• Serves as the university's lead ADP Administrator for payroll tax filing and reporting, supporting tax configuration, reporting accuracy, system-level compliance governance, and implementation of regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

• Leads and supports payroll tax projects and continuous process improvement initiatives, including workflow enhancements, training materials, and targeted improvements to team processes.

• Partners with Payroll Services leadership and cross-functional university stakeholders, including but not limited to Treasury, Disability, Information Technology Services, Human Resources, academic schools, and other university units, t

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