Play a critical role in payroll, tax compliance, and financial reporting excellence 

We’re Sonoran Desert Institute and we are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant to join our team

Our story:

Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) has been changing lives since 2000. As a DEAC accredited school, our mission is to provide students with current, industry-driven, quality education, delivered through online distance education and practical applications. SDI is an employee-owned company creating a culture with an ownership mentality at the foundation. We believe in rewarding our employees through the success of the institution. We’re proud to be recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute as a Great Place to Work for both 2023 and 2024 — and we’re just getting started.  Come be a part of our dynamic organization where you will have the ability to impact the lives of others as they pursue their educational journey with us.

What you'll be doing:

The Senior Accountant must be detail-oriented and highly experienced with deep expertise in payroll accounting and tax compliance. The Senior Accountant is responsible for managing complex payroll processes, ensuring accurate tax reporting, and supporting month-end close and financial reporting activities. 

Payroll & Payroll Accounting

• Oversee bi-weekly multi-state, multi-entity payroll processing for salaried, hourly, and academic employees (faculty, adjuncts, and staff) 
• Ensure accurate recording of payroll, tax, benefits, bonuses, and related accruals 
• Reconcile payroll accounts, benefits, and payroll liabilities on a per pay period basis 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll questions, external partners, and internal HR and accounting teams 
• Maintain and improve payroll controls, processes, and documentation 

Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Manage federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance, accounts, filings, and payments 
• Review quarterly and annual payroll tax filings (e.g., 941, 940, W-2, W-3) 
• Support sales and use tax, property tax, and other indirect tax filings as applicable 
• Coordinate with external tax advisors on income tax provisions, audits, and notices 
• Monitor changes in tax laws and ensure ongoing compliance 

General Accounting & Close

• Participate in month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis 
• Prepare and review balance sheet account reconciliations 
• Support financial statement preparation and audit requests 
• Assist with internal and external audits, including payroll and tax-related items 

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline payroll and tax processes 
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with company policies and institutional guidelines 
• Mentor junior accounting staff and provide technical guidance as needed 
• Partner cross-functionally with HR, Division, and Finance leadership 

What we offer:

• Highly competitive compensation
• Award winning culture 
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Comprehensive benefits package with 100% company-paid medical option for employee
• 401(k) with generous company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance
• Company-paid Life insurance
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, and Volunteer time off!)
• 14 Paid holidays
• Referral program
• Education Tuition Benefit program
• Career development opportunities with a growing company
• And perhaps most importantly, a team who is dedicated to your success!

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance 
• 5 years or more of progressive accounting experience, with significant payroll and tax responsibility 
• Strong knowledge of and proven experience with payroll accounting, payroll taxes, and multi-state compliance 
• Ability to accurately and efficiently reconcile large data sets and multiple resources 
• Ability to research tax regulation and work with external partners to ensure institution compliance 
• Experience with payroll systems (e.g. Paylocity, ADP, Workday, Paychex, Gusto) 
• Intimately familiar with US GAAP 
• Strong attention to detail and able to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment 
• Has worked in a remote environment and comes with strong correlating work habits 
• Has clear and succinct communication 
• Leadership qualities and traits and has the desire to mentor 

Sonoran Desert Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It recruits and hires without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any factors prohibited by law and affirms in policy and practice to support equal opportunity in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

*Unless specifically agreed upon, SDI does not provide relocation assistance

**Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

***All benefits not available immediately upon hire. Some eligibility requirements may need to be met to be eligible for some benefits based on company policy.