Payroll Specialist

Affinity Truck Center•Fresno, CA

21d

About The Position

Affinity Truck Center is an established leader in new and used truck sales, parts and service, lease and rental, and financing. We have built our reputation on the work of our dedicated and experienced staff. We believe that our people are a key driver of our success. We offer a competitive wage and benefits package, a unique level of concern for our employees, and a stimulating work environment. At Affinity Truck Center, you can expect to be part of a team of people who care about their work, their clients and each other. Summary: The Payroll Specialist is responsible for preparing, processing, and auditing payroll for all dealership locations. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll submissions, supports compliance with federal and state laws, coordinates with HR and department managers, and serves as a key resource for payroll-related questions.

Requirements

2–3 years of payroll processing experience; dealership or multi-location experience preferred.
Knowledge of California payroll laws and regulatory requirements.
Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
Experience with payroll systems (e.g., Paylocity or similar).
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
Strong communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with managers and staff.
Due to the nature of our business, and the duties of the position in particular, the actual schedule you will be required to work will vary based upon many factors, including, but not limited to, the business needs of our Company, the schedules of our customers, the season of the year, etc. You may also need to travel out of State for meetings, training, conventions, etc. You will be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with Affinity Truck Center’s travel policy.
Environment: Frequently works inside/outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures
Environment: Occasional exposure to excessive loud noise
Environment: Frequent Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, chemicals, etc.
Lifting and carrying: Frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds
Bending, twisting, stooping, reaching: Must be capable of frequent twisting and bending down to pick up items from lower shelves, and reaching up for items stored at higher levels.
Vision: Must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction.
Hearing: Ability to perceive a “forced whisper” at a distance of 5 feet or less, with or without hearing aids.
Mobility: Ability to enter and exit the vehicle safely and efficiently.
Service Dept. Personnel Mobility: Capability to climb into and out of trucks, which may involve using steps or ladders.
Dexterity in operating controls such as steering wheels, pedals, and gear shifts.
Standing: Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a certain percentage of the workday, such as 50% or more
Walking: Regularly moving about on foot within the work area, which may involve navigating through tight spaces or uneven surfaces.
Hand Dexterity: Frequent use of hands and arms for grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, reaching, typing, etc.
Sitting: Frequent sitting while using a computer, sitting at a desk, attending meetings, trainings, seminars, etc.
Ability to learn new tasks effectively
Service Dept. Personnel ability to learn new skills effectively such as negotiating and de-escalation skills
Ability to take direction from others in a leadership and/or similar role
Must have the capacity to follow and remember processes and procedures
Must maintain focus on assigned tasks
Ability to complete tasks independently without supervision
Ability to communicate effectively with visitors, customers, and colleagues
Ability to multi-task
Ability to prioritize
Ability to work alone
Ability to work in groups
Ability to assist customers in a friendly manner
Ability to communicate with others in a professional and respectful manner
Ability to problem solve
Ability to analyze and resolve issues
Ability to exercise discretion & confidentiality
Ability to engage in ethical conduct and decision making
Ability to adhere to all company guidelines, policies, and procedures
Ability to take criticism in a constructive manner
Ability to maintain focus over long periods while driving
Capacity for quick decision-making in response to changing traffic conditions or emergencies

Responsibilities

Process semi-monthly payroll accurately and on time for all employees, including regular hours, overtime, bonuses, commissions, sick/vacation time, and adjustments.
Review timecard submissions for completeness and accuracy; follow up with managers for missing punches or approvals.
Prepare and reconcile payroll registers, general ledger payroll accounts, and payroll journal entries.
Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
Maintain payroll records across all active employees and terminations.
Build strong working relationships across departments to proactively resolve payroll-related issues, ensure timely follow-through on outstanding items, and keep managers informed of status updates, concerns, and resolutions.
Verify compliance with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws.
Coordinate with HR regarding new hires, terminations, pay rate changes, and benefit deductions.
Process paperwork for new hires and enter employee information into the payroll system.
Support audits and provide payroll documentation upon request.
Maintain confidentiality of payroll and personnel information.
Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, documentation, and support payroll system updates.
Provide excellent customer service to employees with payroll-related inquiries.
Design, evaluate and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop a competitive compensation plan.
Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Directly prepare and distribute written and verbal communication to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs.
Prepare and maintain detailed job descriptions and classification systems and define job levels and families in partnership with other managers.
Keep track of employees' leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave.
Keep abreast with federal, state, and local payroll, wage, and hour laws. Notify Owner/GM/Accounting/HR of all new and upcoming changes, ensuring timely implementation and ongoing compliance with California Labor Code, FLSA, tax regulations, and local ordinances.
Ensure accurate calculation, reporting, and remittance of payroll taxes and deductions, including federal, state, and local taxes, garnishments, benefits, and voluntary deductions; reconcile payroll reports and resolve discrepancies promptly.
Partner with managers and supervisors to ensure smooth and accurate payroll processing, including providing guidance and support on timecard review and edits, meal and rest period compliance, missed or late punches, overtime calculations, and resolution of discrepancies in accordance with California labor laws and company policy.
Performs other duties as assigned.