Payroll Administrator
What is the work like?
As a payroll administrator or clerk, it would be your job to make sure that people were paid correctly and on time.
You could work directly for a company’s finance department, or for a bureau that provides payroll services for other companies. Your work would typically include:
- checking how many hours employees have worked
- calculating and issuing pay by cash, cheque or electronic transfer
- deducting tax and national insurance payments
- creating records for new staff
- processing holiday, sick and maternity pay and expenses
- calculating overtime, shift payments and pay increases
- issuing P45s and other tax forms
- working closely with personnel departments.
In some jobs you might also do general administrative work such as filing, photocopying and typing.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To work as a payroll administrator you do not normally need a minimum level of qualification, but you should feel comfortable with maths. You may have an advantage with a qualification in book-keeping or basic accounting, and some employers may prefer you to have some GCSEs (A-C) including maths.
You will find it helpful to have previous experience of book-keeping, accounts or other types of office work. Computer experience is also useful, particularly in using spreadsheets and databases.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually develop your skills on the job whilst helping experienced staff with routine clerical and computer work. Your training may include the use of specialist payroll software such as Pegasus.
You may have the opportunity to study for qualifications whilst you are working, such as:
- Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Payroll Administration
- Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP) Practitioner Certificate in Payroll
- International Association of Book-keepers (IAB) Certificate and Diploma in Payroll or Computerised Payroll.
See the AAT, IAB and IPP websites for more information about the qualifications and where to study.
With greater experience and responsibility, you could take more advanced qualifications from IPP, including:
- IPP Diploma in Payroll Management
- IPP Advanced Diploma in Payroll Management.
You should continue to develop your skills and keep up to date with payroll law throughout your career. The IPP offers a range of short courses to help you achieve this – see website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
PO Box 13514Shirley
Solihull
B90 9BP
Tel: 0121 712 1000
44 London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1AS
Tel: 01732 458080
London
EC1A 4HY
Tel: 0845 863 0800
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are typically between £13,000 and £18,000 a year.
- This can rise to between £20,000 and £25,000, with experience and responsibility.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would work between 35 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may work standard office hours or flexitime. Part-time and temporary work are both widely available.
You would be office-based and spend a lot of your time working at a computer.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- confidence in working with numbers
- good IT skills
- good spoken and written communication skills
- a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- to work well as part of a team
- good organisational and time management skills, for meeting strict deadlines
- honesty
- respect for confidential information.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for all kinds of larger companies or public sector organisations like local authorities or the NHS. Alternatively, you might be employed by a payroll bureau. With experience, you could progress to payroll supervisor or manager.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus and by recruitment agencies.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
Payroll World
Pay Recruit
Pay Magazine
Personnel Today
Accounting Web
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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