Payroll Manager

Frankel is one of Nebraska’s largest local CPA Firms. Innovation. Intelligence. Integrity. Since 1959, that’s who we are. From our talented staff to seasoned partners, we provide our clients with specialized knowledge and effective results. Our team is dedicated to continual improvement, utilizing cutting-edge technology, and refining our efficiency. We value people and our relationships, integrity, and a motivated work-ethic. We’re not your typical accounting firm; we’re collaborative, growth-oriented, social, and focused on fun - we also care about your life outside of the firm.

We're currently looking to add a Payroll Manager to our Client Accounting Services practice.

Frankel’s Client Accounting Services (CAS) team is built on collaboration, trust, and a genuine commitment to helping clients succeed. The team partners closely with business owners to deliver reliable accounting, financial reporting, and payroll support while providing insights that help clients make confident business decisions. Within CAS, team members work together across industries and service lines, share knowledge, and continuously improve how work gets done.

Summary and Responsibilities

The Payroll Manager serves in a critical leadership role within the firm’s Payroll Services division, operating primarily as a Payroll Tax Manager with deep expertise in payroll tax compliance, filings, deposits, and regulatory oversight. This position supervises a team of five payroll professionals and oversees payroll services for 150+ client entities across multiple industries and jurisdictions.

This role requires advanced knowledge of federal and state payroll tax regulations, including quarterly and annual filing requirements, tax deposit rules, multi-state compliance, and year-end reporting (Forms 941, state equivalents, W-2s, and related filings). The Payroll Manager ensures all payroll tax filings and deposits are accurate, timely, and fully compliant.

The position also requires a strong understanding of how payroll taxes impact monthly accounting and financial reporting. The Payroll Manager must be proficient in payroll journal entries, tax liabilities, accruals, reconciliations, and general ledger integration, working closely with the Client Accounting Services (CAS) team to ensure payroll activity is properly recorded and reflected in financial statements.

In addition to overseeing daily payroll operations, this individual serves as the primary escalation point for complex payroll tax matters, agency notices, and compliance issues. The Payroll Manager is responsible for strengthening internal processes, maintaining quality control standards, mentoring team members, and driving continuous improvement within the department.

Strong project management skills are essential, as this role leads new client payroll onboarding, system implementations, workflow enhancements, and year-end processing coordination. Success requires the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines and communicate clearly with clients and firm leadership. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a hands-on technical expert who can analyze complex payroll tax situations, interpret evolving regulations, resolve agency notices, and implement structured solutions that mitigate risk.

This is a high-impact leadership position ideal for a strategic, hands-on payroll professional who combines technical payroll tax expertise with strong critical thinking, accountability, and operational leadership within a CPA firm environment.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive payroll experience, including increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and overseeing full-cycle payroll processing for multiple clients simultaneously.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state payroll tax regulations, deposits, and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience preparing and reviewing quarterly federal and state payroll tax filings (including Forms 941 and state equivalents).
• Strong understanding of payroll tax accruals, reconciliations, and the impact of payroll on monthly financial reporting and general ledger accounting.
• Experience amending payroll tax returns and responding to and resolving notices from federal and state tax agencies.
• Experience managing multi-state payroll tax compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and develop team members.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with a client-service mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) Certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Experience working within a CPA firm or multi-client payroll environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with payroll software platforms such as QBO, Paylocity, or similar systems.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives or system implementations.

What we offer you:

• Reduced Required Hours
• Health, Dental, Vision, Disability & Life Insurance
• HSA and FSA options
• PTO & Parental Leave
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 401(K)
• Profit Sharing
• Flex Fridays (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
• Bonus opportunities
• Recognition and incentive programs
• Casual / “Dress for your Day” dress code
• Busy season perks including catered meals, office competitions, and activities
• Fun activities like family parties, holiday party, and the annual golf & spa outing
• Limited travel
• Referral bonus program
  
• CPA exam bonus incentive and preparation assistance
• Advancement opportunities

Our process:
We value your time as you search for your career; because of that we’re dedicated to a swift, stress-free interview process. Our application takes less than 5 minutes, we’ll communicate with you every step of the way, and our candidate experience is designed for you to get to know us.

All information provided will be held in strictest confidence.
NO AGENCY CALLS PLEASE.