Automotive Accounting Payroll Manager
23 days ago
Littleton
Job Description 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. Check out our Instagram to see what we're all about! Key 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., • 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., • 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., • 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., • 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. 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., • 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., • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Accounting, or a related field 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., • Attention to Detail, • Leadership and Accountability, • Confidentiality and Integrity, • Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking, • Time Management and Prioritization, • 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 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 prioritize relationships over transactions—with 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. We're proud to attract driven, motivated individuals who are passionate about their work and dedicated to building lasting relationships. It’s not just about the work we do—it’s about the family 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