Numbers all add up for a payroll clerk
As a payroll administrator it would be your job to make sure that people are paid correctly and on time. If you’re good with numbers and would like an important role in an office, this job could suit you.
You will need to manage your time and be organised so you can meet strict deadlines. You’ll also need to pay close attention to detail and work accurately.
As a payroll administrator you would make sure that people get paid on the right date and receive the correct amount of money. You could work in a company’s accounts team, or for a payroll bureau that provides payroll services for other companies. You may be working to strict payment deadlines. Your work would usually include: • Checking how many hours
employees have worked • Calculating and issuing pay by
cash, cheque or electronic transfer • Deducting tax and national
insurance payments • Processing holiday, sick and
maternity pay and expenses • Calculating overtime, shift
payments and pay increases • Answering staff queries about
timesheets or pay slips • Issuing P45s and other tax forms. • You will have an understanding of the legislation and rules in areas such as tax payment and exemption. You would also be offering advice on which forms need to be used in different situations. For instance, claiming maternity pay or a tax refund. You may also provide assistance to the human resources department within your company. This could include offering payroll support to new staff and completing paperwork for staff who are leaving such as a P45 document. You may also be expected to do general administrative work such as filing, photocopying and typing. • In some jobs you may also be
known as a payroll clerk. • As a payroll administrator you
should have: • • • Confidence in working with
numbers • Good spoken and written
communication skills • A high level of accuracy and
attention to detail • Teamworking skills • Good organisational and time
management skills • Honesty • Respect for confidential
information • Good IT skills.
In a full-time job you would usually work, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Part-time and temporary work are both widely available.
You would normally be based in an office. You could spend most of your time working at a computer.
Starting salaries can be between £15,000 and £18,000 a year.
With experience and responsibility this could rise to between £20,000 and £28,000, especially in areas like London.
You would be expected to have relevant office skills. This could include using email, the internet and being able to use computer packages like Excel.
ON THE MONEY