Payroll Compliance Specialist

AAA Landscape; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

AAA Landscape in Phoenix, AZ is looking for a Payroll Compliance Specialist to ensure accurate, timely payroll processing for field and administrative staff.

You will monitor timekeeping, attendance, vehicle and field activity, payroll records, and employee data to identify discrepancies and help ensure employees are paid accurately and in accordance with company policies and applicable wage-and-hour requirements.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in payroll, HR, timekeeping, compliance, or related field.
• Strong understanding of timekeeping and payroll processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with analytical mindset.
• Proficiency with Excel and MS Office suites.
• Ability to collaborate with field employees, supervisors, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Support accurate, timely payroll processing for field and administrative staff.
• Monitor timekeeping, attendance, and data across systems to identify discrepancies.
• Verify hours are assigned to correct job codes, departments, and projects.
• Investigate and resolve timekeeping discrepancies before payroll finalization.
• Assist with payroll audits and periodic compliance reviews.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on timekeeping procedures.
• Reconcile MJobTime information with payroll records and generate reports.
• Maintain confidential payroll documentation and approvals.

Skills

Payroll

Timekeeping

Compliance

HR

Confidentiality

Excel

Team collaboration

Tools

MJobTime

Samsara

Job description

The Payroll Compliance Specialist is responsible for supporting accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing for AAA Landscape's field and administrative employees. This position will monitor timekeeping, attendance, vehicle and field activity, payroll records, and employee data to identify discrepancies and help ensure employees are paid accurately and in accordance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local wage-and-hour requirements.

The Payroll Compliance Specialist will utilize MJobTime and Samsara, along with payroll and HR systems, to review employee hours, job assignments, travel time, meal and rest periods, overtime, attendance, and other payroll-related information.

This position requires strong attention to detail, confidentiality, sound judgment, and the ability to work closely with HR, Payroll, Account Managers, Foreman, Asset Management and field leadership.

Payroll & Timekeeping Compliance

• Review employee time records in MJobTime for accuracy and completeness.
• Monitor daily and weekly time entries for missing punches, excessive hours, unusual patterns, duplicate entries, and other discrepancies.
• Review regular hours, overtime, double-time where applicable, and other compensable time.
• Verify employee time is assigned to the appropriate job, department, cost code, or project.
• Identify and investigate timekeeping discrepancies before payroll is finalized.
• Coordinate with supervisors and Account Managers to obtain corrections and documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of payroll corrections and approvals.
• Assist with payroll audits and periodic compliance reviews.
• Support timely payroll processing and payroll close activities.

MJobTime Compliance

• Maintain accurate Vacation and Sick time entries in mJobTime based on approved requests received from management through the Employee Self Service Portal.
• Monitor employee timekeeping activity and adherence to company timekeeping procedures.
• Review missed punches, edits, manual adjustments, and supervisor-approved changes.
• Identify patterns that may indicate inaccurate time reporting or inconsistent application of timekeeping practices.
• Ensure supervisors understand their responsibilities for reviewing and approving employee time.
• Provide guidance and training to employees and managers regarding proper timekeeping procedures.
• Maintain documentation supporting payroll adjustments and corrections.

Samsara & Field Verification

• Utilize Samsara to assist with verification of vehicle activity, employee work schedules, travel, and field operations when appropriate.
• Compare Samsara information with MJobTime records when discrepancies require additional review.
• Identify potential inconsistencies between reported hours, vehicle activity, jobsite schedules, and other available operational records.
• Partner with Safety and Operations when Samsara information identifies a potential compliance, safety, or operational concern.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality when reviewing employee or vehicle information.
• Use Samsara information as a compliance and verification resource while recognizing that vehicle activity alone does not necessarily establish compensable work time.

Wage & Hour Compliance

• Assist HR and Payroll with compliance related to:
• Regular and overtime hours
• Meal and rest periods
• Travel and compensable time
• Timekeeping and recordkeeping
• Employee classifications
• Timekeeping edits and corrections
• Escalate potential wage-and-hour concerns to the Director of HR.
• Maintain documentation necessary to support internal audits and potential regulatory inquiries.
• Assist with periodic audits of payroll practices and employee records.

Payroll Reconciliation & Reporting

• Reconcile MJobTime information against payroll records before and after payroll processing.
• Review payroll exception reports and investigate unusual or inconsistent entries.
• Track recurring payroll discrepancies by department, supervisor, location, or employee.
• Prepare reports identifying trends and opportunities for corrective action.
• Maintain a payroll compliance log documenting issues, resolutions, and follow-up.
• Assist in developing payroll compliance metrics for HR leadership.

Employee & Management Support

• Respond to employee questions regarding timekeeping and payroll records.
• Work with supervisors and Account Managers to resolve timekeeping issues.
• Train managers on proper timekeeping procedures and payroll responsibilities.
• Communicate payroll deadlines and required approvals.
• Promote consistent application of payroll and timekeeping policies across AAA Landscape.
• Maintain a professional, confidential, and service-oriented approach when handling employee concerns.

Compliance & Audit Responsibilities

The Payroll Compliance Specialist will support periodic audits of:

• Employee timecards
• MJobTime records
• Payroll registers
• Overtime
• Meal and rest period records
• Timecard edits
• Manual payroll adjustmentsEmployee classifications
• Job and cost-code allocations
• Travel and field time
• Samsara records when appropriate
• Payroll documentation and approvals

The position will identify trends, document findings, and recommend corrective actions to HR leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years of experience in payroll, HR, timekeeping, compliance, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of timekeeping and payroll processes.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies objectively and document findings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work effectively with field employees, supervisors, Account Managers, and leadership.

Preferred

• Experience with MJobTime or similar workforce/timekeeping systems.
• Experience with Samsara or GPS/fleet-management systems.
• Experience in landscape, construction, field services, or another labor-intensive industry.
• Knowledge of federal and Arizona wage-and-hour requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.