DEALER PAYROLL · BMW CENTERS & BMW/MINI GROUPS

A Client Advisor and a Product Genius: opposite pay math. One run carries both.

A BMW center pays commissioned Client Advisors, hourly non-commissioned Product Geniuses, and flat-rate techs graded on BMW’s own Certified-to-Master ladder, all in the same run. WageTime runs the BMW pay run the way the store is actually staffed.

Built on infrastructure processing $35B+ in payroll & taxes · 2.8M+ employees paid

WageTime serves independently owned and operated dealerships. WageTime is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by BMW of North America, LLC, BMW AG, MINI, or any manufacturer. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

A premium store, and none of the pay plans behind the badge are ordinary.

Behind a BMW center sit two sales-floor comp shapes at once, a factory credential ladder that sets the flat rate, warranty time measured in a unit that isn’t hours, and high-voltage work only certain hands can be paid for. Each item below is either unpaid office hours at close or a liability compounding quietly until someone finds time to check it.

TWO FLOORS IN ONE

The commissioned advisor and the hourly Genius clock in together

The Client Advisor earns salary plus uncapped gross commission; the Product Genius beside them is hourly, non-commissioned, and overtime-eligible. One is a commission close, the other is clock hours and time-and-a-half, and generic payroll wants them to be the same kind of employee.

THE FACTORY LADDER

BMW sets the level, the level sets the rate

A tech’s flat-rate figure follows BMW’s own ladder, from the Certified level a STEP graduate exits at up to Master Technician. Level up, and the rate should move on the award date, not three paychecks later as a retro fight at the service counter.

THE FIRST-YEAR WAGE

A STEP grad is hourly before they’re on flags

A Service Technician Education Program graduate comes in under a one-year commitment, paid hourly while the certifications land, before flat rate becomes the whole check. Miss the switch date and you either overpay the guarantee or shove a new tech onto flags early, with the minimum-wage true-up waiting the moment they’re there.

UNITS, NOT HOURS

Warranty time arrives as FRU and has to be squared against the clock

BMW books warranty labor in flat rate units out of AIR and the KSD time guide, not in clock hours. A warranty-heavy fortnight still has to clear the wage floor per tech, so the FRU time has to be normalized against actual hours before anyone can trust the check.

FEW CLEARED HANDS

i-series high-voltage flags land on the few HV-certified hands

BMW requires HV-certified techs on i-series high-voltage systems, and battery work is reported to need an ST1825-certified specialist, so those flag hours pile onto the one or two cleared techs on staff. The premium rides on a credential that expires, and paying an uncertified tech for an HV op is the kind of error nobody catches until it’s a claim.

ONE GROUP, MANY EINs

The BMW store, the MINI rooftop, and the used LLC pay out once

A BMW group holds the BMW center, a MINI rooftop, and its used-car company as separate EINs filing their own taxes, yet still wants one pay day and one approval. Generic providers hand back a login per entity and a consolidation workbook someone rebuilds by hand each month.

The first four get a real product screen below, shown with sample store data. The group run and the commission close get straight answers in the FAQ.
01 · TWO PAY PLANS, ONE SHOWROOM

How does payroll run a commissioned Client Advisor and an hourly Product Genius in the same pay run?

In one WageTime run: the Client Advisor settles on salary plus uncapped gross commission through the month-end close, while the Product Genius beside them runs hourly, overtime-eligible past forty, with CSI bonuses and never a commission.

  • CSI and spiff bonuses land on the Genius check, taxed right.
  • Commissioned earnings flow from the deal log; clock hours settle the same Friday.
app.wagetime.com/payroll/showroom-run

Showroom Pay · June

2 Geniuses hourly · OT-eligiblecommission + hourly · one run
Client Advisors paid salary + uncapped gross commission · Product Geniuses paid hourly and overtime-eligible, not commissioned
A. ReyesClient Advisor$9,320.00
Salary + gross % · +$6,820.00 comm
M. ChoClient Advisor$6,650.00
Salary + gross % · +$4,150.00 comm
J. BauerProduct Genius$3,240.00
Hourly non-comm · +$300.00 CSI bonus6.0 OT hrs
L. OrtizProduct Genius$2,560.00
Hourly non-comm · no bonus, no OT
P. NashSales manager$6,000.00
Salary + team override · +$1,500.00
5 paid · 2 commissioned, 2 hourly non-comm, 1 salaried · Geniuses’ 6.0 OT hrs paid at 1.5×$27,770.00 netpays on the Jul 3 run

Replaces the two side-by-side spreadsheets (one for advisor commissions, one for Genius hours and overtime) that never closed on the same day.

02 · THE STEP LADDER

How does pay follow a BMW technician from the Certified level a STEP grad exits at up to Master?

The flat rate keys to the BMW level and a new rate starts on the award date; a STEP graduate runs on the hourly guarantee through the first-year commitment, then flips to flat rate on a scheduled date.

  • WageTime keys the flat rate to the BMW level, Certified up to Master.
  • A promotion or lapse surfaces early, per-period dollar swing attached.
  • Master gates on BMW’s full curriculum, high-voltage certification, and years on the floor.
app.wagetime.com/service/cert-ladder

BMW Level Ladder · Service Dept

1 STEP grad on guarantee1 rate change queued
BMW levels climb from Certified (STEP-grad exit) toward Master Technician · Master gates on the full curriculum + high-voltage certification
4BMW techs
+$4.00Mendes rate lift
≈ +$300Per-period swing
TechRate ruleStatus
K. Osei #04Master Tech · HV cert current$46.00/flag hrCurrent
R. Mendes #09Senior · Master review HV done$38.00 → $42.00/flag hrRate change Aug 1
T. Vogel #12Certified · STEP window Sep 1$24.00/hr guarantee → flat rateOn guarantee
S. Park #16Tech · two BMW courses left$30.00/flag hrCurrent
1 STEP grad flips to flat rate Sep 1 · R. Mendes repriced from Aug 1

Replaces the whiteboard of who’s Certified and who’s Master, and the sticky note that says “move Vogel to flat rate in the fall.”

03 · WARRANTY IN FLAT RATE UNITS

How does payroll run the minimum-wage true-up when BMW books warranty time as FRU, not hours?

WageTime imports warranty flag time however BMW denominates it, flat rate units included, normalizes it against actual clock hours, and runs the minimum-wage true-up on top, so a warranty-heavy stretch can’t quietly drag a tech below the floor.

  • Effective rate = flat-rate earnings ÷ actual clock hours, tested every period.
  • A shortfall posts as a documented true-up earning before the run closes.
  • BMW books warranty labor in FRU from AIR and the KSD time guide.
  • Tell us your BMW systems on the demo; we’ll confirm the exact flow.
app.wagetime.com/service/effective-rate

Effective-Rate Check · Jun 16-30

warranty mix 34%2 techs below floor
BMW warranty labor arrives in flat rate units (FRU) · imported time is normalized to clock hours before the floor test at $16.50/hr
K. Osei #04$50.13/hr
$3,910.00 ÷ 78.0 hrs · 148 FRU (22%)no true-up
R. Mendes #09$35.87/hr
$2,690.00 ÷ 75.0 hrs · 210 FRU (34%)no true-up
S. Park #16$20.97/hr
$1,510.00 ÷ 72.0 hrs · 288 FRU (58%)no true-up
T. Vogel #12below floor$11.67/hr
$770.00 ÷ 66.0 hrs · 176 FRU (61%)true-up $319.00
N. Kraus #21below floor$10.20/hr
$612.00 ÷ 60.0 hrs · 132 FRU (47%)true-up $378.00
True-up total on the Jul 3 run · earning code TRUEUP · warranty FRU normalized to hours$697.00

Replaces the by-hand FRU-to-hours conversion the controller does when there’s time, because the wage floor doesn’t wait for when there’s time.

04 · HIGH-VOLTAGE, FEW HANDS

How does payroll make sure only HV-certified techs are paid for an i4 or iX flag?

The HV premium binds to the credential and stops the day it lapses: WageTime routes i-series high-voltage flag operations only to cleared techs, and a pending lapse surfaces before an uncertified tech is ever paid for the work.

  • Battery work on the i4, iX, i5, and i7 is reported to need ST1825.
  • ST1825 is BMW’s Alternative Drive course; a Diagnostic Specialist tier sits above.
  • The same effective-dated credential logic drives the level ladder.
app.wagetime.com/service/hv-authorization

High-Voltage Work · i-Series

2 HV-cleared techs1 HV credential lapse watched
BMW gates i4 / iX / i5 / i7 high-voltage flags to HV-certified techs (battery work reported to need an ST1825 specialist) · the HV premium stops the day the credential lapses
TechHV premiumStatus
K. Osei #04HV Spec (ST1825) + Battery iX+$6.00/flag hrCleared · i4 / iX
D. Iyer #18HV Diag Spec · recert 2027+$8.00/flag hrCleared · HV diag
R. Mendes #09ST1825 HV Spec · i5 pendingHV premium, eligible opsi5 battery gated
S. Park #16no HV cert · ST1825 bookedstandard flat rateNot HV-cleared
2 of 4 techs cleared for i-series HV flags · 1 credential lapse watchedpremium binds to the credential

Replaces the mental note of who’s HV-certified this quarter, and the uncertified-tech HV flag nobody catches until the warranty claim bounces.

05 · ONE GROUP, EVERY EIN

Can a BMW, a MINI, and a used-car LLC close on one pay day, with the recognition money too?

The whole group closes on one pay day: WageTime runs the BMW center, the MINI rooftop, and the used-car company as separate EINs under one login, and the recognition money goes out off-cycle the day the number clears.

  • Each EIN files its own federal, state, and local taxes, deposits included.
  • Unlimited runs make the Center of Excellence spiff run cost nothing extra.
  • 1099 contractors run beside W-2 staff; payroll posts to QuickBooks by department.
  • Reporting comes per store or combined.
app.wagetime.com/group/payday

Group Pay Day · Fri Jul 3

3 EINs · all runs ready
BMW, MINI, and the used-car LLC each file under their own EIN · one login, one pay day, reporting per store or combined
3Companies filing
110People paid
$405,500Net pay this run
CompanyNet payStatus
Bavarian Motors of Summit LLC••-•••3140 · 74 · auto-filed$286,410Ready
Summit MINI LLC••-•••6602 · 21 · auto-filed$71,880Ready
Summit Pre-Owned LLC••-•••1187 · 15 · auto-filed$47,210Ready
three EINs, one approval · off-cycle Center of Excellence spiff run at no extra cost

Replaces a payroll login per rooftop, and the consolidation workbook that ties BMW, MINI, and the used lot together every Friday.

PRICING

Simple payroll pricing. No surprises.

Full-service payroll is $10 a month per person paid that month, plus $50 a month per company, with unlimited runs. No long-term contracts, no per-run charges.

  • Full-service payroll, unlimited runs
  • Federal, state & local tax filing
  • Year-end W-2s & 1099s
  • Direct deposit, checks & pay cards
  • Contractor payments & filings
  • Off-cycle runs & bonuses, no extra fee
  • Employee paystubs & W-2 access
  • QuickBooks integration
$10/mo per person paid
+ $50/mo per company

Off-cycle runs and bonuses cost nothing extra. No long-term contracts; cancel anytime.

Example: 50 people paid × $10 + $50 company = $550 for the month

HR & hiring, onboarding, PTO, time tracking, benefits, and workers’ comp are optional add-ons, priced separately when you’re ready.

See a demo
THE INFRASTRUCTURE BEHIND WAGETIME
$35B+
in payroll & taxes paid
2.8M+
employees paid
4.3M+
W-2s & 1099s filed
100%
of tax filings automated

BMW dealer payroll FAQ

How does payroll handle a BMW Genius who’s hourly and non-commissioned alongside commissioned Client Advisors?

WageTime runs both in one pay run. Client Advisors settle through the month-end commission close on salary plus uncapped gross commission, while Product Geniuses are paid hourly with overtime and any CSI bonus, never commission. Each person runs on their own basis, and the floor closes on the same day.

How do we tie a technician’s flat-rate pay to their BMW level, from a STEP graduate up to Master?

Each BMW level carries its own flat-rate figure. WageTime keys the rate to the tech’s current level, from the Certified level a STEP graduate exits at up to Master Technician, and starts a new rate on the award date, so leveling up reprices their flags immediately, and an expiring credential surfaces before it becomes a retro adjustment.

How do you pay a new BMW STEP graduate during their first-year window before flat rate?

A Service Technician Education Program graduate enters under a one-year commitment, paid hourly while the certifications land, before moving to flat rate. WageTime holds the hourly guarantee to a scheduled switch date, flips the tech to their level’s flat rate the day it lands, and runs the minimum-wage true-up behind the flags from then on.

How does the minimum-wage true-up work when BMW books warranty time in flat rate units instead of hours?

BMW records warranty labor in flat rate units out of AIR and the KSD time guide, and warranty time typically pays tighter than customer-pay. WageTime imports the warranty flag time, normalizes it against actual clock hours, and tests flat-rate earnings ÷ clock hours against the wage floor each period; a shortfall posts as a documented true-up before the check goes out.

How do we make sure only HV-certified techs get paid for i4 or iX high-voltage flag jobs?

WageTime binds the high-voltage premium to the credential (the ST1825 HV Specialist certification BMW requires for i-series high-voltage work), routes eligible HV flag operations to cleared techs, and flags a pending lapse before an uncertified tech is paid for the work. The same effective-dated credential logic drives the level ladder.

Can it handle a BMW and MINI group under separate EINs and the month-end commission close, and what does it cost?

Yes to both. Each rooftop (the BMW center, the MINI store, the used-car LLC) keeps its own EIN and filings and closes under one approval, and the month-end commission close (minis, volume tiers, F&I chargeback netting, draw offsets) runs as payroll. It’s $50 per company per month plus $10 per person paid that month, no long-term contract, and switching is full-service and paid.

Bring your worst BMW pay period.

Last month’s Client Advisor commission sheets, a rack of Genius hours and overtime, a STEP grad due to flip to flat rate, a warranty-heavy fortnight of FRU, and the Center of Excellence money you still owe from when the scores posted. Twenty minutes with a payroll specialist on a live demo store: if WageTime can’t carry your comp plans, you’ll know before the meeting ends.

Book a 20-minute demo