Incentive Compensation Analyst

Role Summary

The Incentive Compensation Analyst is responsible for supporting the accurate timely and scalable administration of incentive compensation programs across a multi-location retail and service organization. This role partners closely with Finance Accounting Operations Payroll HR BI and field leadership to calculate validate document and report commission and bonus payouts for store-level and corporate incentive plans.

This role is highly detail-oriented and critical to ensuring compensation plans are applied consistently supported by data and aligned with company performance goals acquisition integration needs and P&L expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Incentive Compensation Administration

• Own the recurring calculation of store-level commission and bonus programs.

• Maintain detailed support for all incentive compensation payouts including plan inputs eligibility performance metrics adjustments and final approved amounts.

• Review incentive calculations for accuracy completeness and consistency with approved compensation plans.

• Prepare payout files for review approval and submission to Payroll.

• Track payout timing and ensure incentive compensation is completed by required deadlines.

Data Validation & Reporting

• Pull and reconcile data from relevant systems including POS Power BI NetSuite payroll and other operational reporting sources.

• Validate key compensation inputs such as sales gross profit labor controllable expenses store performance role eligibility and other plan metrics.

• Identify data discrepancies and work with Finance Accounting BI Payroll and Operations to resolve issues before payout.

• Maintain clear audit trails and support files for each compensation cycle.

Acquisition Integration Support

• Assist with incentive compensation integration for newly acquired stores and employees.

• Gather and analyze historical compensation information for acquired employees including prior salary commission bonus and total earnings.

• Support transition planning from legacy compensation structures to company incentive programs.

• Help manage temporary compensation guarantees safety nets or bridge programs where applicable.

• Track acquisition-related compensation exceptions and ensure they are properly documented and approved.

Plan Management & Process Improvement

• Maintain a centralized repository of incentive compensation plans eligibility rules payout schedules and approved exceptions.

• Help standardize incentive compensation processes across stores and departments.

• Identify opportunities to streamline commission calculations using Excel Power Query Power BI AI tools or system enhancements.

• Support the development of scalable compensation processes as the company continues to grow through acquisition.

• Assist in documenting standard operating procedures for incentive compensation administration.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Operations to clarify performance metrics exceptions and store-level questions.

• Work with Payroll to ensure approved payouts are processed accurately and timely.

• Support Accounting with accruals reconciliations and month-end incentive compensation reporting.

• Partner with HR on employee eligibility role changes new hires terminations and compensation plan communication.

• Provide clear and professional responses to questions from field leaders and internal stakeholders.

Core Deliverables

• Monthly or periodic incentive compensation calculation files.

• Payroll-ready incentive payout templates.

• Supporting documentation and audit trail for each payout cycle.

• Exception tracking and approval documentation.

• Acquisition compensation integration files.

• Monthly summary of incentive compensation payouts key drivers and notable issues.

• Process documentation and improvement recommendations.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong Excel skills including lookups pivot tables formulas and data validation.

• Ability to work with large data sets and reconcile information across multiple sources.

• Strong attention to detail and comfort working with compensation-sensitive information.

• Understanding of basic financial statements store-level P&Ls gross profit labor and controllable expenses.

• Ability to meet recurring deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience with commission bonus payroll sales operations FP&A or accounting processes preferred.

• Experience with NetSuite Power BI payroll systems or POS data preferred.

Success Measures

• Incentive compensation calculations are accurate supported and completed on time.

• Payout files are payroll-ready with minimal rework.

• Exceptions are clearly documented and appropriately approved.

• Acquisition-related compensation plans are tracked and managed without creating unnecessary complexity.

• Processes become more repeatable scalable and less manual over time.

• Field and corporate stakeholders have confidence in the accuracy and consistency of incentive compensation reporting.

Working Style Expectations

• Operate with a high degree of confidentiality and discretion given the sensitivity of compensation data.

• Be proactive in identifying issues before payout deadlines and escalate risks early.

• Balance accuracy with speed during close payroll and recurring reporting cycles.

• Create repeatable files and documented processes that can scale as the company continues to grow.

Required Experience:

IC