Senior Payroll Analyst
Unitek Learning Open · verified Oct 19, 2026 At a glance
Senior Payroll role at Unitek Learning. Tempe · full-time · $75,000–$90,000 base.
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Reconcile quarterly and yearly payroll tax filings, then investigate and correct significant variances
- Trace complex tax problems through payroll data, identify causes, and verify that fixes work
- Handle escalated tax issues with HR, Finance, Accounting, vendors, and tax agencies
- Manage audit and agency responses by researching records, confirming payments, and documenting outcomes
- Update payroll controls and processes for tax-law changes, system work, and recurring errors
What you bring
- At least five years handling payroll tax compliance and seven years processing payroll across multiple states
- A Certified Payroll Professional designation is required
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll taxes, filings, reconciliations, and year-end work
- Experience with payroll systems such as Workday, UKG, or ADP Workforce Now, plus strong Excel skills
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone who can independently investigate complex tax issues and work across payroll, HR, finance, accounting, vendors, and agencies. The position is hybrid in Tempe.
From the employer
As a leading healthcare education organization, Unitek Learning’s family of schools helps thousands of students launch and accelerate their careers every year. As a rapidly growing and highly successful company, Unitek is also a great place to pursue a rewarding and challenging career. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, unlimited growth potential, and a collegiate work environment.
The Senior Payroll Analyst works with the payroll team to deliver accurate, timely payroll tax compliance across multiple states, with a strong focus on payroll tax compliance and resolution. Serving as a subject matter expert on state and local tax requirements, this role researches discrepancies, resolves agency notices, and supports required filings and reporting. The Senior Payroll Analyst partners with HR, Finance, Accounting, and external vendors to maintain effective controls and improve payroll processes.
Job Responsibilities:
- Serve as a subject matter expert on federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements, including multi-state withholding, reciprocity, unemployment insurance, and reporting.
- Independently review and reconcile quarterly and annual payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 940, W-2, and W-3 and state equivalents; drive resolution of material variances.
- Lead complex payroll tax investigations by analyzing payroll data, identifying root causes, determining corrective actions, and confirming resolution.
- Act as the primary escalation point for significant payroll tax issues, partnering with HR, Finance, Accounting, third-party vendors, and tax agencies to resolve them.
- Coordinate responses to payroll tax audits, agency notices, and inquiries; research historical records, substantiate payments, and maintain clear documentation of outcomes.
- Monitor changes in payroll tax legislation, assess operational impact, and recommend updates to payroll processes and tax configuration.
- Strengthen payroll tax procedures, documentation, reconciliations, and internal controls to reduce risk and improve accuracy.
- Review complex earnings, deductions, and tax calculations; provide expert support during payroll processing and year-end activities.
- Oversee state-specific requirements for unclaimed payroll property, including due diligence, reporting, and remittance.
- Provide payroll tax expertise for system upgrades and implementations, including configuration review, testing, reconciliation, and issue resolution.
- Identify recurring issues and lead process improvements across payroll tax operations.
- Assist with payroll system upgrades, tax configuration, implementations, and testing.
- Respond to employee payroll and tax inquiries with professionalism and confidentiality
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:.
College coursework in accounting, finance, business, economics, or a related field, or equivalent payroll experience.
At least 5+ years of payroll tax compliance experience.
At least 7+ years of multi-state payroll processing experience.
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation required.
Deep expertise in federal, state, and local payroll tax laws, including multi-state compliance, withholding, reciprocity, and unemployment insurance.
Advanced experience with payroll tax filings, reconciliations, and year-end processes, including Forms W-2 and 941 and state equivalents, as well as resolution of complex tax discrepancies.
Experience partnering with payroll tax vendors and supporting internal and external audits as a payroll tax subject matter expert.
Proficiency with payroll systems such as Workday, UKG, or ADP Workforce Now, and strong Excel skills.
Ability to analyze complex payroll data, identify root causes, and document accurate resolutions.
Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to meet deadlines across payroll cycles.
Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with HR, Finance, Accounting, vendors, and tax agencies.
We Offer:
- Medical, Dental and Vision starting the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment
- 2 Weeks’ starting Vacation per year. Increasing based on years of service with company
- 12 paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holiday
- 401k with company match
- Company Paid Life Insurance at 1x’s your annual salary
- Leadership development and training for career advancement
- Tuition assistance and Forgiveness for you and your family up to 100% depending on the program