JOANNE CHRISTOPHE
Senior Payroll Tax and Reporting Professional
Tomkins Cove,NY
Summary
Dynamic Senior Payroll, Tax, and Reporting Professional with over 10 years of expertise in multi-state payroll tax compliance, reporting, audits, reconciliations, and payroll accounting for large, complex organizations. Recognized as a trusted subject matter expert in payroll tax, with a proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and collaborating with senior stakeholders to ensure compliance across federal, state, local, and Canadian tax jurisdictions. Skilled in managing audits and agency relationships while mitigating payroll tax risks and enhancing processes to maintain operational excellence and regulatory adherence. Demonstrated ability to mentor team members, engage effectively with vendors and agencies, and implement innovative solutions that drive efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and align with business objectives.
Overview
1
1
Language
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Payroll Tax and Reporting Analyst
Ralph Lauren Corporation
Nutley, New Jersey
08.2024 - Current
- Administer comprehensive U.S. federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance for extensive multi-state employee workforce, guaranteeing prompt and precise filings and payments.
- Organize and verify quarterly and annual payroll tax filings inclusive of forms 941, 940, W-2/W-3, and state returns.
- Finalize and authenticate Canada year-end payroll documentation encompassing T4 slips, T4 summaries, T4A slips, and PD7A CRA payroll remittances while maintaining accuracy and adherence to regulations.
- Oversee analysis and resolution of payroll tax notices, handling agency inquiries and compliance matters to decrease risk and avert potential penalties.
- Facilitate payroll tax wage funding and general ledger reconciliations to secure reporting accuracy and ensure conformity with internal controls.
- Organize and evaluate payroll tax journal entries while contributing to month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close tasks.
- Served as trusted business partner in payroll tax matters for finance, HR, and external vendors. Facilitated training for new hires on payroll tax procedures to promote best practices. Counseled stakeholders on tax compliance requirements to ensure adherence and reduce liabilities.
- Coordinate employer tax account registrations with agency setup requirements across diverse state and local jurisdictions.
- Collaborate with finance and compensation team to validate payroll tax treatment of equity compensation including RSUs, stock options, and supplemental wage payments.
- Collaborate with compensation team and finance to guarantee precise equity data integration into payroll systems sub-ledger and general ledger.
- Facilitate SOX compliance by overseeing internal controls reconciliations and documentation to guarantee audit readiness and regulatory adherence.
- Optimize process workflows and enhance reporting efficiencies through collaboration on advanced Excel analytics system with cross-functional teams.
- Managed interdisciplinary payroll tax efforts engaging payroll, finance, HR, compensation, and external vendors to secure compliance and facilitate timely completion of essential business initiatives.
Sr. Payroll Specialist - Tax
PayServ Payroll Solutions Inc.
Bardonia, NY
06.2022 - 08.2024
- Administered payroll tax compliance tasks for various clients, securing meticulous processing of payroll tax filings and payments across federal, state, and local levels.
- Operated as dependable payroll tax consultant for clients, supplying expertise on payroll tax compliance regulations and effective methodologies.
- Monitored updates in federal and state payroll tax laws, applying regulatory changes to maintain compliance during quarter-end and year-end processing.
- Examined and resolved complicated payroll tax discrepancies, tax notice issues, and employee payroll concerns, securing on-time and correct resolutions.
- Oversaw payroll processing and tax-related activities for employee populations exceeding 2000, ensuring precision of wages, deductions, garnishments, bonuses, and supplemental payments.
- Coordinated with internal teams and clients to assess payroll data, confirm general ledger mappings, and bolster payroll reporting accuracy.
- Oversaw 401(k) contribution processing, executing payroll reconciliations and compliance reviews to guarantee accurate reporting for employees and employers.
- Managed employer tax account registrations and oversight of state and local tax accounts to ensure accurate wage reporting and compliance standards.
- Led training sessions for staff on new payroll software features and updates to enhance user proficiency.
- Provided training for junior staff members on proper payroll practices, fostering professional growth within the department.
Sr. HR Generalist/Administrative Program Support
Venture Together Inc.
Nanuet, New York
12.2015 - 12.2022
- Streamlined reporting activities related to payroll audits through meticulous maintenance of employee and payroll records.
- Delivered comprehensive HR and administrative support for multi-functional workforce, ensuring adherence to company policies, NYS OPWDD regulations, and employment requirements.
- Administered bi-weekly payroll processing for 500+ employees, guaranteeing correct compensation, employee deductions, timekeeping records, leave balances, and attendance oversight.
- Mentored junior HR staff, fostering professional development and enhancing team capabilities.
- Coordinated with management and department leaders to streamline workforce planning, employee relations, staffing initiatives, and everyday operational tasks.
- Directed complete onboarding and offboarding procedures incorporating candidate assessment, orientation arrangement, personnel file organization, and compliance monitoring
- Oversaw employee personnel records and HR documentation while upholding confidentiality and adhering to regulatory and organizational requirements.
- Managed vendor invoices and upheld billing documentation to enhance financial reporting, budget tracking, and state audit compliance.
Records Management Administrative Coordinator
Saint Dominic's Family Services
Blauvelt , NY
10.2020 - 05.2022
- Managed payroll processes ensuring adherence for staff within compliance and quality assurance department.
- Guide subordinates and staff in understanding records retention requirements and best practices
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local records retention laws and regulations.
- Coordinate audits, legal holds, and information requests by sourcing and supplying essential records. Supportecognize gaps, risks, or inefficiencies in records processes and advocate for improvements.
- Contributed to budget formulation for new equipment and software acquisitions improving record keeping operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Monroe College
Bronx, NYAssociate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences
SUNY Rockland Community College
Suffern, NYSkills
- Multi-State Payroll Tax Compliance
- Federal, State & Local Tax Reporting
- Payroll Tax Audit Management
Tax Notice Resolution/Task Risk Mitigation
- Equity Compensation Taxation (RSUs and Stock Options)
- Canada Payroll Reporting (T4/T4A)
- Month-End, Quarter-End and Year-End Close Processing
- Payroll Accounting/General Ledger Reconciliation
- SOX Compliance and Internal Controls
- Advanced Excel and Payroll Analytics
- Leveraging AI Tools/Project Management/Process Automation
- Vendor Management (ADP Enterprise & Smart Compliance/Workday/iSolved/Ceridian)
- Data Integrity and Confidentiality/Discretion
- Staff Training Initiatives
Dependable and Reliable
Concise Time-Management
Accomplishments
Passed multiple complex IRS and state tax audits with zero compliance findings or monetary penalties.
Investigated and resolved a backlog of state tax agency notices, recovering thousands of dollars in overpaid taxes and stabilizing payroll operations.
Accurate balancing of W-2 forms for thousands of multi-state employees, ensuring 100% compliance with federal, state, and local regulations without incurring any tax penalties.
Timeline
Sr. Payroll Tax and Reporting Analyst
Ralph Lauren Corporation
08.2024 - Current
Sr. Payroll Specialist - Tax
PayServ Payroll Solutions Inc.
06.2022 - 08.2024
Records Management Administrative Coordinator
Saint Dominic's Family Services
10.2020 - 05.2022
Sr. HR Generalist/Administrative Program Support
Venture Together Inc.
12.2015 - 12.2022
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Monroe College
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences
SUNY Rockland Community College