Tax Services Consultant (Payroll) - Remote

HCM Unlocked’s difference is our people. Our culture thrives on trust, accountability, and empowering consultants to be autonomous, nimble, and client focused. The Tax Services Consultant manages a diverse, multi-jurisdictional client portfolio, balancing priorities across tax registrations, notice resolution, audits, and special projects. Consultants are trusted advisors who engage effectively with all levels of client leadership, including the C-suite, by translating complex tax issues into clear, actionable business terms. Success in this role requires delivering proactive updates, anticipating risks, and driving accurate, timely outcomes in a fast-paced, multi-client environment. Consultants are measured on utilization and realization goals, service level agreements, and client satisfaction, ensuring both quality and profitability in service delivery. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: • Portfolio Management: Own assigned client portfolios, prioritize SLA and deadlines, maintain accurate timelines and status updates. • Client Engagement: Build strong client relationships across all levels, lead tax meetings, communicate proactively, and manage expectations. Educate by translating complex tax issues into clear, actionable business terms. • Registrations & Account Maintenance: Register and maintain federal, state, and local tax accounts; manage deactivations/reactivations; enroll clients in portals, manage withholding, state unemployment, paid leave and disability, and local tax registrations, while maintaining accurate account records and maximizing HCM system. • Notice Resolution: Research and resolve tax notices end-to-end, prepare agency responses, secure abatements, and coordinate payments/amendments all while providing timely and effective updates to the client. • Audits & Reconciliations: Conduct payroll tax audits, validate account numbers and SUI rates, review jurisdiction exposure, and support examinations. • Collaboration: Partner with internal resources to coordinate dependencies, ensure accuracy, and deliver excellent client service. Anticipate and prevent breakdowns between teams. • Special Projects: Support mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, FEIN/entity changes, and historical research projects. • Process & Documentation: Follow standard procedures, maintain client files and trackers, update SOPs, and ensure audit readiness and drive process improvement when needed. • Time & Performance Management: Accurately track billable time daily, maintain 75–85% utilization and =90% realization, and support margin goals through efficient delivery. Required Qualifications: • 4+ years of payroll tax compliance experience (registrations, notice resolution, audits) • Strong understanding of federal, state, and local payroll tax rules and filing calendars, and stays current as regulations change • Client-facing experience with HR and executive leadership. • Proven ability to manage multiple client accounts and competing deadlines with strong organizational skills, collaboration efforts, and critical thinking. • Experience with one or more payroll platforms (ADP, UKG, Paylocity, Dayforce etc.) and with state and federal agency portals • Intermediate to advanced Excel skills (pivots, lookups, reconciliations Preferred Qualifications: • Prior experience in a multi-client services environment. • Familiarity with analytics/BI tools (e.g., Power BI) • Experience with ticketing/shared inbox tools and queue management. Core Competencies • Client Communication & Presence: Leads client updates and translates tax into business terms. • Ownership & Accountability (BRAVE): Takes responsibility for portfolio outcomes; escalates risks early. • Agility & Change Management: Adapts quickly to regulatory, system, or client changes. • Value Creation (BRAVE): Goes beyond compliance to deliver measurable client impact (e.g., abatements, process improvements). • Excellence in Service (BRAVE): Consistently professional, proactive, and trusted by clients. Our Commitment to Inclusion HCM Unlocked is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees, which drive innovation and success. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. HCM Unlocked participates in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program. Apply tot his job