Payroll Specialist

Overview Payroll Specialist – Onsite, Scottsdale, Arizona Independence Home Loans is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized payroll professional to process and manage semi-monthly payroll for a diverse workforce, including hourly, salaried, and commission-based employees. This role ensures accurate and timely payroll while maintaining compliance with applicable wage and tax regulations in a fast-paced, sales-driven mortgage environment. Key Responsibilities Process semi-monthly payroll for all employees, including hourly staff, salaried employees, and commission-based mortgage loan officers and sales teams Owns complex HRIS data management beyond transactional inputs, leveraging advanced Excel (formulas, pivot tables, lookups) to accurately calculate commissions, reconcile financial balances, and produce audit-ready reporting Calculate, audit, and validate commissions, bonuses, and incentive payouts based on established compensation plans Review payroll data for accuracy, including timekeeping records, earnings, deductions, and adjustments Maintain and update payroll records for new hires, terminations, pay changes, and benefits deductions Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations and wage laws Reconcile payroll reports and support general ledger entries and month-end close processes Process off-cycle payrolls, adjustments, and manual payments as needed Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails for payroll activities Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, commissions, and deductions in a timely and professional manner Prepare payroll and commission reports for leadership, particularly Sales leadership Support year-end processing, including W-2s and audit requests Partner closely with HR, Finance, and Sales teams to ensure accurate execution of compensation and payroll processes Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required 3+ years of experience using Paylocity 2+ years of payroll processing experience required Experience processing semi-monthly payroll cycles across multiple pay types required Strong knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and wage laws Experience with payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Paychex, Workday, or similar) Intermediate Excel skills (reconciliations, basic formulas, data review) Skills & Competencies High level of accuracy and attention to detail Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to manage confidential information with discretion Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to meet strict semi-monthly deadlines Excellent communication and internal customer service skills Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, especially with sales and finance stakeholders Preferred Qualifications Prior payroll experience in the mortgage or lending industry Familiarity with commission structures for loan officers and branch production teams Why Join Independence Home Loans? Competitive compensation and benefits High-growth, performance-driven environment Collaborative culture with strong leadership support Opportunities for career growth and advancement #J-18808-Ljbffr