Job Title: Director of Payroll Tax & Benefits

Location: Golden Valley, MN

Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard daytime business hours. Hybrid/remote eligible after 90 days.

Wage: $84, 000 annual salary including Full-Time benefits and Paid Time Off

Position Overview

Orion Associates is seeking a Director of Payroll Tax & Benefits to oversee payroll tax compliance, employer tax accounts, and benefit-related payroll processes across Orion and its affiliated companies.

This role is responsible for ensuring the accurate calculation, reconciliation, reporting, and payment of all federal, state, and local payroll taxes, as well as overseeing benefit-related payroll allocations and reconciliations. The Director also supervises payroll tax staff and ensures all reporting, filings, and reconciliations are completed accurately and on schedule.

This is a highly detail-oriented leadership role that works closely with payroll, accounting, and external agencies to maintain compliance across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Oversee all federal, state, and local payroll tax filings, including Forms 941, 941-X, 940, state withholding, FUTA/SUTA, and local tax reporting.
• Ensure all payroll taxes are paid according to required deposit schedules.
• Manage year-end payroll tax processes including W-2 generation, auditing, and distribution.
• Monitor changes in tax rates and employer tax requirements across states and jurisdictions.

Payroll Tax Account Management

• Manage and reconcile all employer payroll tax accounts across Orion companies.
• Coordinate the activation and closure of payroll tax accounts as needed.
• Investigate and resolve payroll tax discrepancies, notices, and agency inquiries.

Benefits & Payroll Reconciliation

• Oversee reconciliation and allocation of benefit-related accounts
• Ensure benefit expenses are correctly allocated across departments and entities.

Financial Reconciliation & Controls

• Manage GL reconciliations related to payroll tax and benefit accounts.
• Audit payroll tax calculations to ensure accuracy of both employer and employee taxes.
• Ensure payroll tax liabilities such as FUTA, SUTA, and workers’ compensation are expensed appropriately.

Compliance & Process Oversight

• Maintain departmental procedures and documentation related to payroll tax and benefit administration.
• Ensure timely completion of audits related to tax status, W-4 documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate annual payroll tax system updates for Great Plains.

Team Leadership

• Supervise payroll tax staff including Payroll Coordinators and Payroll Supervisors.
• Provide guidance and support to ensure compliance deadlines and departmental goals are met.
• Serve as an internal resource for payroll tax and benefit-related questions.

Required Qualifications

• 4–6 years of payroll, payroll tax, or related accounting experience.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of payroll tax compliance and reporting requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple tax jurisdictions and reporting deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal teams, employees, and government agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Experience with multi-entity payroll environments.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP or comparable payroll systems.