Sr. Manager, Payroll & Tax

About The Company

Founded in 2023, Crete Professionals Alliance (Crete PA) delivers big four firepower to local American firms. Our rapid growth has made us a magnet for leading firms nationwide, eager to join our revolution in accounting. We empower small to mid-market firms with PE-backed capital, strategic technology partnerships, and innovative workforce solutions—including national recruiting and offshore support—while preserving a personal, local touch. With a presence in over half the US, 25+ regional offices, 1,000+ dedicated professionals, and offshore operations in Asia, we're the fastest-growing accounting firm in the nation and well on our way to the top 20. At Crete PA, our culture and relationships are the cornerstone of our success, and we’re always looking for talented, ambitious people to join our team.

Since founding, Crete has partnered with 23 leading accounting firms to date, with significant growth anticipated through the remainder of the year. Our co-founders from ZBS Partners have a track record of launching four past successful companies, with combined enterprise value exceeding $3 billion, several now majority-owned by respected private equity firms. We plan to invest $500 million in the next two years to acquire accounting firms and equip them with artificial intelligence. In addition to ZBS, Crete is backed by leading technology investors Thrive Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners. Our partnership with Thrive and their recently launched Thrive Holdings strategy is accelerating our deployment of artificial intelligence, process automation, and advanced software into our partners companies.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Senior Manager, Payroll to join our HR team. This position will be responsible for payroll processing for integrated entities on our platform. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in payroll administration, project management skills, and experience managing multiple pay groups. This role will support the payroll functions and supporting benefits functions of firms that have already been integrated onto the platform, and will support Payroll Processors/Admins on the team.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Leadership & Ownership:

• Own end-to-end multi-state payroll execution for assigned pay groups, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and on-time delivery.

• Serve as the process owner for payroll: maintain SOPs, define controls, and drive standardization across integrated entities.

• Partner with Finance to ensure payroll-to-GL alignment, support accruals, and deliver recurring payroll reporting and analytics.

• Lead payroll month-end/quarter-end/year-end activities, including reconciliations and audit support.

• Oversee payroll data integrity across HRIS/payroll systems (e.g., UKG), including audits and troubleshooting.

People Management & Team Development:

• Manage, coach, and develop more junior Payroll Manager as well as Payroll Processors/Admins; set clear expectations, review work quality, and ensure cross-coverage.

• Build scalable workflows and training to support growth, acquisitions, and changing pay group complexity.

Compliance, Tax, and Benefits Collaboration:

• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local payroll regulations and ensure timely implementation and communication.

• Triage and resolve escalated employee inquiries related to pay, taxation, deductions, and benefits.

• Coordinate with Benefits/Total Rewards and external partners to ensure accurate deductions, 401(k) changes/funding, and benefit reconciliations.

Integration & Continuous Improvement:

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (HR, IT, Finance, and acquired-firm stakeholders) to onboard new entities and implement new processes/systems.

• Lead system audits and data migration activities to ensure accuracy and completeness.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce errors, improve cycle time, and strengthen controls.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in multi-state payroll processing, with increasing responsibility.

• 2+ years experience leading or managing a team (directly or as a lead) and owning a payroll process end-to-end.

• Strong knowledge of payroll systems, benefits administration, and compliance requirements. UKG experience highly preferred.

• Proven experience preparing, reconciling, and filing monthly, quarterly, and annual federal, state, and local payroll tax returns (Forms 941, 940, state withholding, state unemployment, etc.).

• Strong working knowledge of multi-state tax compliance, including state-specific deposit schedules and filing requirements.

• Experience with quarterly payroll tax reconciliations and resolving variances between payroll registers, general ledger, and tax filings.

• Familiarity with electronic filing systems (e.g., EFTPS, state portals, local tax agency sites).

• Demonstrated ability to research, resolve, and respond to tax notices from federal, state, and local agencies.

• Experience preparing amended returns (941-X or state equivalents) when errors are identified.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and payroll software (e.g., UKG, Rippling, Paycom etc.).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strongly preferred: background in either benefits administration OR US payroll taxation (or both).

• Certification in Payroll (e.g., CPP) or Project Management (e.g., PMP) is a plus.

• Experience with HRIS systems and data migration processes.

• Familiarity with merger and acquisition processes and integration strategies.

Work Environment:

• Hybrid work environment

• Flexible working hours may be required to accommodate project timelines and deadlines.

We are excited to invite talented individuals to join our dynamic team! This position offers a competitive salary at $130-156k, plus offers a performance bonus both commensurate with experience and qualifications. Base salary may vary depending on candidate qualifications and location.

In addition to a rewarding career, we provide a robust benefits package, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (with options for fully paid employee only coverage for health and dental)

• Company-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Ancillary Benefits such as supplemental life insurance and short-term disability options

• Classic Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan with employer contributions

• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and development including access to Becker and LinkedIn Learning

We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where every team member can thrive. Apply today to be part of a company that values its people and their contributions!

Crete Professionals Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, considering all applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state of federal law.