Payroll Manager

ABOUT THE COMPANY

At Current, everything starts with people. We partner with leading accounting firms across the United States, bringing them together through a shared platform that supports their growth while preserving the local identities and client relationships that make each firm unique. Our partner firms combine the close connections of a local team with the resources of a national community, giving professionals access to broader career opportunities, learning, collaboration, and innovative technology. Whether you join Current or one of our partner firms, you’ll be part of a connected team investing in your development and shaping the future of accounting.

About the role

The Payroll Manager leads payroll and retirement-plan execution for a portfolio of client businesses within Client Accounting Services (CAS). This hands-on supervisory role manages delivery, develops assigned staff, coordinates external providers, and processes payroll when needed. The Tax team determines tax positions, wage instructions, plan design, and contribution strategy; this role implements those decisions, verifies completion, and escalates changes rather than independently redesigning the plan or tax approach.

Key responsibilities

Lead portfolio planning and delivery against payroll calendars, quality standards, and client service expectations; allocate work and personally process payroll when needed.

Verify that payroll setup, changes, reports, and client cash requests match Tax-team instructions, with payroll taxes and retirement-plan funding clearly distinguished.

Oversee federal and multi-state payroll filings, registrations, notices, and reconciliations; coordinate technical issues with Tax and ensure required follow-through.

Capture taxable benefits and other W-2 items before the final year-end payroll; monitor inactive accounts and resolve processing gaps before service is interrupted.

Verify deferrals, matching, and employer contributions for 401(k), profit-sharing, SEP, and SIMPLE arrangements against approved instructions; raise limit or funding discrepancies promptly.

Confirm plan contributions arrive, track payroll-to-deposit timing, and escalate late or missing funding; follow corrections through to documented completion.

Coordinate census, testing, Form 5500 filings or extensions, and corrections with third-party administrators and recordkeepers. Coordinate actuarial valuations and approved funding for defined benefit and cash balance plans.

Serve as the day-to-day client contact, explain payroll and plan matters accurately, and conduct quarterly reviews. Document changes and escalate decisions affecting tax positions or plan suitability.

Review payroll workpapers and supporting records; coach assigned staff, provide performance feedback, and manage delegation, capacity, and competing deadlines.

Monitor engagement effort, scope, and delivery risks; resolve operational issues, escalate exceptions, and improve repeatable workflows through standards and appropriate automation.

Required qualifications

4–6+ years in US tax or tax-side payroll, serving closely held businesses and their owners.

Hands-on qualified retirement-plan experience covering contributions, funding, testing, and filings.

End-to-end payroll platform proficiency and knowledge of federal and state filings, multi-state withholding, and unemployment.

Working fluency in S corporations and partnerships, with the ability to explain payroll and plan implications to clients.

Supervisory experience, including review of complex workpapers, coaching, performance conversations, and hands-on payroll processing.

Strong client communication and project management skills; sound judgment with complex information, competing priorities, and escalation decisions.

Preferred experience

ADP experience.

Active CPA or EA credential in good standing; neither is required.

Defined benefit or cash balance experience working with an actuary.

Experience managing a multi-client portfolio in public accounting and improving documented workflows.

Spanish language skills for clients who prefer Spanish.

Tools and workflow

Maintain portfolio calendars, client instructions, processing status, open items, risk and escalation logs, and secure supporting records.

Track plan funding receipts and timing, filing confirmations, provider deliverables, testing results, corrections, and year-end readiness.

Use workload, capacity, engagement-hour, utilization, and scope-change information to manage delivery and identify improvements.

Success expectations

Within 90 days, document the portfolio’s payroll and plan arrangements, deadlines, and open exposures, with remediation owners and target dates.

Within six months, maintain regular quarterly client reviews and monthly funding confirmation, with clear answers and timely escalation.

Over the first year, complete payroll and plan cycles accurately and on time, prevent avoidable amendments or inactive accounts, and develop staff capability.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The total rewards package at Current includes base salary and benefits.

Our salary ranges are competitive within the accounting industry and are updated regularly using the most reliable compensation survey data for our industry. New hire offers are made based on a candidate’s experience, expertise, geographic location, and internal pay equity relative to peers.

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 & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Ancillary Benefits such as supplemental life insurance, critical illness, and accident insurance
• Classic Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan with employer contributions
• Opportunities for professional growth, learning, and development including access to Becker and LinkedIn Learning

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic.