Ukg payroll and equity processing consultant

We are seeking an experienced UKG Pro Payroll & Equity Processing Consultant to provide hands-on payroll processing, system support, payroll tax compliance, equity/stock payroll processing, and payroll optimization services. This consultant will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing across multiple states and entities while managing complex off-cycle payrolls, stock exercises and lapses, payroll tax activities, year-end requirements, and retirement and benefit reconciliations.

The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience with UKG Pro Payroll, understands complex payroll and tax requirements, and has experience processing equity-related payroll transactions, including stock exercises and lapses. This individual should be highly analytical, detail-oriented, comfortable researching discrepancies, and capable of working independently with internal stakeholders, employees, equity providers, tax agencies, benefit providers, and UKG Payment Services.

This is a highly hands-on consulting role requiring both payroll processing expertise and the ability to identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and UKG Pro configuration.

Key Responsibilities

UKG Pro Payroll Processing

• Process and support regular payroll cycles within UKG Pro, ensuring accurate and timely payroll execution.
• Review payroll inputs, earnings, deductions, taxes, garnishments, benefits, and other payroll-related transactions.
• Validate payroll calculations and identify discrepancies prior to payroll finalization.
• Perform payroll audits and reconciliations to ensure payroll accuracy and compliance.
• Research and resolve payroll discrepancies and employee payroll issues.
• Maintain payroll documentation, procedures, controls, and processing calendars.
• Partner with HR, Finance, Benefits, Accounting, and other internal stakeholders to resolve payroll issues.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and recommendations related to UKG Pro Payroll functionality and processes.

Equity & Stock Payroll Processing

• Prepare and process stock exercise and stock lapse payrolls, including the collection and validation of equity transaction data.
• Import equity transactions into UKG Pro and validate earnings, taxable wages, deductions, and tax calculations.
• Review equity-related payroll transactions for accuracy and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local tax requirements.
• Reconcile equity payroll transactions against equity provider reports and payroll results.
• Coordinate with equity administrators, Finance, HR, and payroll stakeholders to resolve discrepancies.
• Coordinate with UKG Payment Services regarding funding requirements, payroll processing, tax deposits, and applicable deadlines.
• Ensure appropriate taxation and withholding of equity compensation, including supplemental earnings and applicable state/local taxes.
• Maintain detailed documentation and audit trails for stock exercise and lapse payrolls.

Off-Cycle Payroll Processing

• Process and audit various off-cycle payrolls, including: Bonuses and incentive payments, Severance payments, Termination/final payments, Equity-related payrolls, Retroactive pay adjustments, Payroll corrections, Other special compensation payments.
• Validate applicable taxes, deductions, benefit impacts, and payroll calculations.
• Coordinate funding and tax deadlines associated with off-cycle payrolls.
• Ensure appropriate approvals and documentation are obtained prior to processing.

Payroll Tax Registrations & Account Maintenance

• Manage state and local payroll tax registrations for new jurisdictions and business entities.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local tax agencies to establish and maintain payroll tax accounts.
• Research and resolve registration issues and missing tax account information.
• Obtain and maintain state/local tax account numbers, rates, filing requirements, and effective dates.
• Coordinate payroll tax setup and updates within UKG Pro.
• Monitor tax account changes and ensure UKG configuration accurately reflects current requirements.
• Maintain documentation related to tax registrations, agency correspondence, and account setup.

Payroll Tax Notices & Quarterly Reconciliation

• Research and respond to federal, state, and local payroll tax notices.
• Partner with UKG and tax agencies to investigate discrepancies and determine appropriate corrective action.
• Review and reconcile quarterly payroll tax reports against payroll records and general ledger information.
• Identify discrepancies in taxable wages, tax liabilities, tax deposits, and filings.
• Coordinate corrections, amended filings, and tax adjustments with UKG and applicable tax agencies.
• Track outstanding tax issues through resolution and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Support payroll tax audits and provide documentation as required.

Year-End Payroll & W-2 Processing

• Maintain and monitor the annual payroll calendar, including critical payroll, tax, and year-end deadlines.
• Perform year-to-date payroll reconciliations for wages, taxes, deductions, benefits, and other payroll-related items.
• Review year-end payroll results and identify discrepancies requiring correction.
• Review W-2s for accuracy prior to distribution.
• Coordinate W-2 corrections and amended filings when necessary.
• Support annual payroll updates, including merit increases, tax updates, benefit changes, and other annual system changes.
• Assist with year-end testing and validation in UKG Pro.
• Coordinate with Finance, Benefits, HR, UKG, and external vendors to ensure successful year-end processing.

Retirement & Benefits Reconciliation

• Prepare, process, and reconcile contribution files for: 401(k) plans, Nonqualified deferred compensation plans, HSA plans, FSA plans, Other payroll-related benefit programs.
• Validate payroll deductions against vendor contribution files.
• Confirm vendor receipt and successful posting of contribution files.
• Research and resolve discrepancies between payroll, employee deductions, and vendor records.
• Coordinate corrections with Benefits, Finance, payroll vendors, and plan administrators.
• Maintain reconciliation documentation and appropriate audit controls.

UKG Pro Optimization & Process Improvement

• Evaluate existing payroll processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and controls.
• Review UKG Pro payroll configuration and recommend process or system improvements.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual payroll activities and reconciliations.
• Develop and maintain payroll SOPs, checklists, processing guides, and controls.
• Support testing of UKG Pro system changes, enhancements, tax updates, and integrations.
• Document requirements and assist with implementation of payroll process improvements.
• Serve as a payroll subject matter expert for UKG Pro-related questions and issues.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive payroll processing experience, preferably supporting complex, multi-state payroll environments.
• Hands-on experience with UKG Pro Payroll.
• Experience processing complex payroll transactions, including off-cycle payrolls, bonuses, severance, terminations, and payroll corrections.
• Direct experience processing equity compensation through payroll, including stock exercises and/or stock lapses.
• Strong understanding of payroll taxation, supplemental wages, and federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements.
• Experience with payroll tax registrations, tax notices, quarterly reconciliations, and amended filings.
• Experience supporting payroll year-end processing and W-2 reconciliation.
• Experience reconciling 401(k), HSA, FSA, nonqualified compensation, and other benefit deductions/contributions.
• Strong Excel skills, including the ability to work with large data sets, perform reconciliations, and identify discrepancies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a consulting environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• UKG Pro Payroll certification or advanced UKG Pro experience.
• Experience working with UKG Payment Services.
• Experience with equity administration platforms and/or equity providers.
• Experience supporting public or private companies with employee equity programs.
• Experience with multi-state and multi-entity payroll.
• Experience supporting payroll implementations, system optimization, or payroll transformation projects.
• Experience creating payroll SOPs, process documentation, and internal controls.
• Experience working with Finance/Accounting on payroll-to-GL reconciliations.
• Experience supporting payroll audits and tax agency inquiries.