Automotive Accounting Payroll Manager

McDonald Automotive•Littleton, CO

14d

About The Position

McDonald Automotive Group is seeking an experienced Automotive Accounting Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations across a multi-rooftop dealership environment. This role is responsible for the accurate and compliant processing of complex dealership payrolls, including commission-based pay plans, flat-rate technicians, spiffs, draws, bonuses, and variable compensation structures unique to automotive retail. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on automotive payroll experience and the ability to maintain accuracy and compliance in a high-volume, high-turnover industry with frequently changing pay plans and staffing needs. This position requires both operational payroll expertise and strong payroll-accounting integration. Check out our Instagram to see what we're all about! https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldautomotivegroup/ [https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldautomotivegroup/]

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of payroll experience within an automotive dealership environment is required.
Proven experience processing commission-based and flat-rate payrolls.
Multi-rooftop or high-volume dealership experience strongly preferred.
Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience with payroll systems; ADP Workforce Now preferred.
Expert-level understanding of dealership payroll structures, including commissions, spiffs, draws, guarantees, and retroactive adjustments.
Strong knowledge of payroll taxes, wage and hour laws, and internal controls as they apply to automotive retail.
Advanced Excel skills (reconciliations, audits, variance analysis).
High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced dealership environment.
Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with managers, executives, HR, and Accounting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end payroll processing across multiple dealership entities.
Administer and validate dealership pay plans, including commissions, guarantees, draws, retro adjustments, and incentive programs.
Ensure accuracy for all employee types, including commissioned sales staff, technicians, service advisors, and administrative personnel.
Review payroll calculations prior to submission to ensure alignment with approved pay plans and company policies.
Provide hands-on backup support for payroll staff as needed, including technician, advisor, and commission payroll processing.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, including automotive-specific commission and overtime regulations.
Manage payroll tax filings and reconciliations on a per-pay, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
Maintain strong internal controls to prevent payroll errors, overpayments, and compliance risk.
Support internal and external audits by preparing required payroll documentation and reconciliation schedules.
Review team output to confirm accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established controls.
Oversee payroll-related general ledger postings, including bank activity, expense allocations, and accrual entries.
Ensure payroll expenses are coded accurately by department and account.
Reconcile commission accrual accounts and validate alignment between commission schedules and the general ledger.
Review Manager, Director, Wholesale, and Used Car commission calculations and postings.
Calculate and post PTO accruals, payroll accruals, and Work in Process (WIP)entries as required.
Review payroll schedules and related entries to ensure financial accuracy and integrity.
Ensure proper accounting treatment of payroll-related expenses, including benefits, workers’ compensation, and COBRA.
Oversee payroll system configuration and maintenance (ADP Workforce Now preferred), ensuring accurate setup of dealership earnings codes and proper integration with the general ledger.
Partner with HR and Accounting to ensure timely processing of new hires, terminations, pay plan updates, benefit changes, and garnishments.
Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and audit readiness.
Administer the company’s 401(k) plan, including coordination of the annual 401(k)audit and compliance testing.
Ensure accurate payroll-related benefit deductions and reporting.
Lead and supervise a payroll team of three or more employees, including hiring, training, coaching, performance management, and workflow oversight.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payroll issues, pay discrepancies, and dealership leadership inquiries.
Provide guidance and training to managers on payroll timing, pay plan interpretation, and payroll-related best practices.