How to Begin a Career in Payroll
How to Begin a Career in Payroll
A career in payroll requires a variety of skills such as excellent organisation and the ability to work with large sums of money. Payroll administrators can work in a variety of businesses and organisations, including both private companies and public sector bodies. The primary role of a payroll administrator is to be in charge of ensuring that staff within the organisation are paid correctly and on time.
Every business requires payroll services, making the role of payroll administrator essential across different industries. There is a variety of payroll jobs and, with some experience, plenty of opportunity to advance into managerial positions.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Work in Payroll?
Most entry-level payroll positions will require you to have obtained at least a robust set of qualifications from secondary school. Taking a course in payroll, bookkeeping, or accounts at a college can help prepare you for entry-level payroll positions. Recruiters value you to have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline such as human resources or accountancy as both of these degrees prepare aspiring payroll professionals to work in the field. Finance and finance administration skills are highly valued for payroll roles, as they provide a strong foundation in managing financial records and understanding the broader finance sector. Bookkeeping and accounts knowledge are also important for improving your employability and job prospects in payroll administration. To improve your career options within payroll and advance into a managerial position such as that of a payroll manager, it is beneficial to complete a qualification offered by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). Some employers accept direct application for payroll administrator jobs if you have relevant qualifications or experience.
As a Beginner, Where Should I Start in Payroll?
When wanting to pursue a career in payroll, it is advisable to ensure that you have thoroughly investigated the particular role that you would like to work in to ensure that you have the necessary credentials and experience. To become a payroll professional, you should focus on developing essential skills such as attention to detail, strong numeracy, and proficiency with payroll software, as well as following steps like obtaining relevant qualifications and gaining practical experience.
There are a variety of careers available in payroll and related fields, ranging from entry-level payroll administrator jobs to specialist and management roles. It is important to understand the responsibilities associated with payroll administrator jobs, as these roles involve specific duties and accountability, and to consider the types of employers you might work for, such as private companies, public sector organizations, or local authorities. Most payroll positions will require you to have a robust set of qualifications, the skill set needed for the role, expertise in the field and industry knowledge.
Once you are in the field, having both payroll training and payroll experience will allow you to advance into a specialist position. You will need to have up to five years of experience in payroll before progressing into management.
Skill Set Required for a Career in Payroll
The following skill-set is required to have a successful career in payroll:
Excellent problem-solving abilities
Competent using software such as Excel and Microsoft
Confident handling large sums of money
High standard of numeracy skills
The ability to work to tight deadlines
Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
The ability to lead a payroll team
What Does a Payroll Administrator Do?
The job description will vary based on the different jobs available within payroll. However, all positions will require you to work to strict deadlines and maintain an excellent level of accuracy. Payroll clerks and administrators must adhere to strict payment deadlines to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. Managing pensions and employee benefits is also a key part of payroll administration. Payroll administrators are responsible for processing salaries, wages, and overtime, as well as verifying timesheets and pay slips to ensure correct employee compensation.
Typical Duties for a Payroll Administrator
The typical duties for a payroll administrator are as follows:
Popular Career Pathways in Payroll
Having a career in payroll brings with it many opportunities to advance in the industry once you have acquired a degree of experience working in an entry-level position. Working in payroll management as a payroll manager or as a payroll specialist is just a few of the managerial payroll specialist positions.
As well as advancing in payroll you can also work in related industries such as accounting and become a management accountant as you have acquired the necessary numerical and transferable skills.
