Automotive Accounting Payroll Manager

Littleton, CO - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 75000 - 105000

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Automotive Accounting/Payroll Manager
McDonald Automotive Group

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.

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Responsibilities:

Automotive Payroll Operations:

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.

Compliance & Controls:

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.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Oversight:

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.

Systems & Process Management:

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.

Benefits & Retirement Administration:

Administer the companys 401(k) plan including coordination of the annual 401(k)audit and compliance testing.
Ensure accurate payroll-related benefit deductions and reporting. Leadership & Team Oversight
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.

Required Experience & Qualifications:

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.

Education & Certifications:

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

Specialized Skills & Knowledge:

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.

Core Competencies:

Attention to Detail
Leadership and Accountability
Confidentiality and Integrity
Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking
Time Management and Prioritization
Team Collaboration and Communication

What We Offer:

Family Owned and Operated
Medical Dental and Vision Insurance
Basic Life and Accidental D&D Insurance
401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid Training Vacation and Sick Leave
Career Advancement and Growth Opportunities
Work-Life Balance
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Discounts on Parts and Services
Employee Vehicle Purchase Programs
Holiday Celebrations and Luncheons
Discounted Golf at Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) and The Raven (Silverthorne)

Who We Are:

As a family owned and operated company for over 65 years McDonald Automotive is proud to serve Colorado with a legacy built on respect integrity growth hard work and trust. With three generations actively involved in the day-to-day operations we prioritizerelationships over transactionswith our customers our community and our employees.

Our motto Doing Right Comes Naturally reflects our commitment to doing business the right way. That commitment has earned us recognition as one of the top 20 dealerships in the U.S. not just by meeting manufacturer standards but by holding ourselves to even higher ones. We aim to deliver the best car buying servicing and ownership experience in the industry.

At McDonald we believe that exceptional experiences start with exceptional people. Many of our team members have spent decades with us growing their careers and eventually retiring as part of the McDonald legacy. Were proud to attract driven motivated individuals who are passionate about their work and dedicated to building lasting relationships. Its not just about the work we doits about thefamily we build along the way.

Disclaimer:

This position will remain open for at least three days and will close upon candidate selection.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your application for employment or the recruiting process please contact us by sending an email to

Required Experience:

Manager

Automotive Accounting/Payroll ManagerMcDonald Automotive GroupMcDonald 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 comp...