Payroll Accountant II - Fixed Term Contract at A&O Shearman in New York, New York

Job Description:

Please note that this is a fixed term contract position for a 12-month period. The annualized base salary range for this position for individuals assigned to this opportunity in New York is $78,000 to $85,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and other job-related factors permitted by law.


A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.


Role Purpose
Process all aspects of semi-monthly payroll for all U.S. admin staff and U.S. track legal staff, including expatriates (i.e. globally). This includes the inputting of new hires, terminations, salary increases, overtime payments, bonus payments, tax forms, etc. Liaise with associates and administrative staff on all payroll related items.


Role and Responsibilities

• Calculate and input data for all new hires, terminations, leaves of absences, benefit deductions, rate changes, retro pay, timesheets, expense statements, etc. Process state and federal tax forms, as well as other payroll related forms. Review output for accuracy and ensure that payroll is processed correctly and in a timely manner. Process information for salary verifications, unemployment claims and mortgage verifications.


• Process bonus payrolls. Must have a clear understanding of bonus and supplemental taxes.


• Responsible for recording, reconciling, and disbursement of garnishments.


• Review and upload Benefits files for accuracy every payroll.


• Input taxes for expatriate employees. Administer wire transfers, obtain banking information, calculate portion to be wired, calculate amounts in foreign currency and forward to Treasury Services to be wired before payday. Prepare funding for payrolls, including funding taxes as well as check and direct deposit payments. Upload expatriate payments for housing and Cost of Living allowances.


• Work with Global Mobility and audit information provided for all expatriates.


• Create and run custom ADP reports.


• Respond in a timely and professional manner to questions concerning paychecks, miscellaneous employee inquiries and, in order to do so, maintain a working knowledge of current issues related to processing of a payroll with an international law firm.


• Timely filing of all payroll data after processing.


• Research any historical information as needed.


• Consult with ADP when system problems arise and have the ability to follow specific verbal instructions over the phone in order to resolve issues.


• Provide W-2 breakdowns to a third-party advisor for associates and complete special projects as assigned. At year end, process gross ups for bar fees, printers, employee taxable gifts, etc., so that W-2s can be updated.


• Assist with providing banking balance, banking transaction detail information, daily review of Positive Pay and direct deposit rejections to Treasury Services.


• Assist with payroll audits.


• Other duties as assigned.

• 2-year associate degree or 4 equivalent years of experience using ADP or equivalent system such as Ceridian. (ADP preferred).


• 3 years processing a multi-state payroll. Global payroll experience a plus.


• Prior experience with Smart Compliance (ADP), pervious quarter adjustments, and W-2C's.


• Experience handling an expatriate payroll preferred.


• Strong mathematical skills.


• Intermediate knowledge of excel, focusing on formatting and data validation & analysis. i.e., vlookups, if statements, pivot tables.


• Ability to multi-task, organize and remain professional under pressure.


• Excellent interpersonal skills for contact with internal employees at all levels and external vendor contacts.


• Must have a solid understanding of immigration as it relates to payroll.


• Must be able to work through variance between the GL and payroll each month.


• Must stay informed about and comply with updates to federal, state, and local wage and tax laws.


• Ability to work a flexible schedule to address system issues or increased workloads, which may involve overtime, including on non-business days.