Location: Austin, TX

Title: Payroll Manager 

Reporting to: Director of Accounting

About Hippo:  

Hippo is modernizing home insurance by putting customers at the center of everything we do. Using innovative technology and a data-driven approach, we strive to provide homeowners with the best policies, best value, and best customer service in the industry. And as if that isn’t enough, it’s really just the beginning. Hippo’s true ambition lies in helping prevent people from experiencing problems with their homes to begin with. Because, at the end of the day, the best home insurance policy is the one you never have to use. 

About You: 

You will be primarily responsible for payroll processing relating to all aspects of payroll, including: payroll accounting, taxation for stock options, RSU, ESPP, benefits reconciliations and will work with the human resources team, ensuring that payroll is processed in a timely manner and is accurate. You will also help in processing commissions for sales team as part of payroll.   You have owned the payroll process for companies that have 750+ employees in multiple states.

What You’ll do: 

• Perform full-cycle processing, data entry, validation, reconciliation, and auditing for semi-monthly payrolls using HR/Payroll systems 
• Manage payroll liabilities by ensuring accuracy of employee federal, state, and local income and social security taxes, and employer’s social security, unemployment and worker’s comp payments 
• Ensure accuracy of 401k deductions, deferred comp deductions and all benefit deductions 
• Maintain and audit accuracy of timesheet approvals and maintenance for non-exempt employees 
• Communicate with employees and managers with respect to internal systems, timesheet reporting and submission, and wage and tax statements as necessary; supports departmental service level commitments to all employees 
• Assist with accounting month-end close including journal entries and reconciliations related to payroll and benefits 
• Ensure payroll expenses are accurately and properly recorded in the company's financial statements 
• Maintain accurate payroll information by identifying and improving the effectiveness of payroll operations and internal controls; provides guidance regarding payroll compliance 
• Support annual financial statement, 401(k), and other audits as required 
• Audit W-4s, payroll balance sheets, quarterly filings, W-2s YTD earnings 
• Maintain SOX policies, procedures and compliance with respect to the payroll process 
• Benefit audits and coordination with People/Benefits and 3rd party vendors 
• Reconcile payroll deductions between payroll records and benefit vendors’ records 
• File Form 5500 
• Process stock options, ESPP, and RSU related income as per the requirements and related withholdings as reported by the stock admin tool 

Must Haves: 

• 5+ years of experience processing payroll with intricate complexities regarding commission and bonuses at varying levels changing from pay period to pay period 
• Be versed in income tax laws, including wage and hourly laws, compliance, and IRS tax filings 
• Be able to maintain an extremely high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity 
• Ability to catch on quickly and thrive in a very fast paced environment 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy 
• Self-motivation and direction; ability to collaborate is a must, but you will be autonomous and expected to succeed without heavy direction 
• Strong intellectual curiosity and a desire to help others solve problems 
• Ability to be flexible and be willing to do what is needed to get great work done 
• A natural inclination to work within a culture that is fast-paced and dynamic 

Nice to Haves: 

• Experience with Paylocity and BambooHR 
• Bachelor’s degree 
• Public company experience

Compensation and Perks 

• Healthy Hippos Benefits- 100% Employer paid medical, dental & vision plan options for our team members AND their families (yes, you read that correctly). As well as 401K, long & short term disability, EAP and flexible spending accounts. 

• Flexible Paid Time Off- Uncapped PTO (with manager approval) 
• Little Hippos Program- We reimburse our team members up to $25k for adoption costs and up to $50k for infertility treatments. Plus, we offer 12 weeks parental leave for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers. 
• Hippo Habitat- Fun offices located in downtown Palo Alto, less than a 5 minute walk from Caltrain. We also offer commuter benefits including free parking pass. Stocked kitchen and BBQ Friday’s for all!  

Hippo is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. 

Hippo’s applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Hippo applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Hippo’s People Team to make the need for an accommodation known.