Accounting Manager, Payroll Tax & Compliance

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, to research and resolve payroll tax, accounting, and compliance matters.

• Handles sensitive payroll, tax, benefits, and employee information with a high degree of confidentiality, discretion, integrity, and attention to data security while managing multiple priorities and critical deadlines.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The standard work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Based on business needs and critical payroll, tax, or regulatory deadlines, additional availability may be required during evenings, weekends, holidays, and university Winter Recess periods.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.

• Five years of relevant professional experience.

• Two years or experience administering year-end payroll tax reporting and filing, including preparation, reconciliation, validation, and filing of Forms W-2 and 1042-S.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel with experience handling large, complex datasets, performing data validation and cleanup, and building effective data models.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Handles sensitive and confidential payroll and benefits information with a high level of discretion and data security.

• Senior or lead payroll tax accounting experience in higher education.

• Ability to train, evaluate, supervise, and support the professional development of employees.

• Demonstrated analytical, problem solving and effective communications skills.

• Knowledge of university financial policies, procedures, and systems.

• Demonstrated commitment to providing exceptional customer service, with the ability to communicate professionally, responsively, and effectively with employees, university stakeholders, external vendors, and government agencies.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree

• Seven years of relevant professional experience.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Employee Benefits

USC offers a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families. This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being.

USC employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans, and the work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all its members.

Join us!

The annual base salary range for this position is $111,621.65 - $120,000.00. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

About USC Finance Division:

USC Finance Division is a group of innovative and talented professionals who provide high quality services in support of education and research at USC. The Finance Division is comprised of the following departments: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial and Business Services, Office of the Comptroller; Office of Budget and Planning, Treasury, and Health Plans; Facilities Planning and Management, Audit Services, Risk Management, and Information Technology Services.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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