Payroll Manager

West Capital Lending; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

West Capital Lending, a fast-paced and collaborative financial services company in California, seeks a Payroll Manager to lead all payroll operations including multi-state processing, commissioned mortgage payroll, and tax compliance. You will partner with HR, Accounting, and Finance to ensure accurate compensation administration and an exceptional employee experience.

The role covers complex compensation, year-end processes, audits, and system administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, HR, or Business or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state.
• 3+ years of payroll leadership experience.
• Experience processing commissioned payroll in mortgage/banking/financial services preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FLSA, payroll taxes, garnishments, and California payroll requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with HRIS/payroll systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage bi-weekly payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Manage semi-monthly commission payments for Loan Officers.
• Administer complex compensation including commissions, draws, guarantees, bonuses, incentive plans, and retroactive adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, California, and other applicable state wage and hour laws.
• Review payroll changes including new hires, transfers, promotions, wage changes, and terminations.
• Oversee year-end payroll processing, including Forms W-2 and payroll tax reconciliations.
• Partner with HR to administer PTO/FTO policies, leave of absence pay, and final pay requirements.
• Develop payroll controls, standard operating procedures, and audit processes.

Skills

Excel

HRIS/payroll software

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/HR/Business

Tools

HRIS software

Payroll software

Job description

About West Capital Lending: At West Capital Lending, we are committed to delivering exceptional service, building strong relationships, and creating opportunities for growth—for both our clients and our team. We pride ourselves on a fast-paced, collaborative environment where accuracy, accountability, and professionalism drive everything we do.

Position Summary

Department: Accounting

Reports To: Controller

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

The Payroll Manager is responsible for leading all payroll operations for West Capital Lending, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws. This role manages multi-state payroll, commissioned mortgage payroll, payroll tax compliance, HRIS/payroll system administration, audits, reporting, and payroll process improvements. The Payroll Manager partners closely with Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, and branch leadership to ensure accurate compensation administration and an exceptional employee experience.

Essential Functions

• Manage bi-weekly payroll processing for exempt, non-exempt employees
• Manage semi-monthly commission payments for Loan Officers.
• Administer complex compensation including commissions, draws, guarantees, bonuses, incentive plans, and retroactive adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, California, and other applicable state wage and hour laws.
• Review payroll changes including new hires, transfers, promotions, wage changes, and terminations.
• Process off-cycle payroll for termination process.
• Maintain payroll tax compliance, garnishments, wage assignments, and benefit deductions.
• Oversee year-end payroll processing, including Forms W-2 and payroll tax reconciliations.
• Partner with HR to administer PTO/FTO policies, leave of absence pay, and final pay requirements.
• Support HRIS/payroll system administration and testing for system upgrades.
• Develop payroll controls, standard operating procedures, and audit processes.
• Prepare payroll metrics, labor reports, and management reporting.
• Manage payroll staff, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Safeguard confidential employee information and maintain payroll records.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of payroll experience, including multi-state payroll.
• 3+ years of payroll leadership experience.
• Experience processing commissioned payroll in the mortgage, banking, or financial services industry preferred.
• Strong knowledge of FLSA, payroll taxes, garnishments, wage and hour laws, and California payroll requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with HRIS/payroll systems.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
• Experience supporting mortgage lending organizations.
• Knowledge of NMLS-licensed employee compensation practices.

Leadership, integrity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, confidentiality, customer service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

Primarily sedentary work with prolonged computer use; occasional lifting up to 10 pounds.

Professional office environment with additional hours during payroll cycles, quarter-end, and year-end as needed.

West Capital Lending is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Disclaimer

This job description describes the general nature of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. West Capital Lending reserves the right to modify duties based on business needs. Employment is at will where permitted by law.