One of the most important departments to the employees in any company is the payroll department. If you're thinking about working in payroll here's everything you need to know.

This is the department that workers depend upon to ensure they get paid accurately for the hours they work as well as have the correct deductions made for National Insurance and taxes, or other items.

Individuals in the payroll jobs fall under the umbrella of finance in most companies - whether it is in payroll administrator jobs, payroll clerk jobs, payroll manager jobs or payroll supervisor jobs.

Payroll responsibilities.

creating records for new hires
checking and verifying the hours of employees
processing entitlements e.g. maternity and holiday
ensuring the correct overtime and shift payments are made
issuing of P45’s

Other duties of this role may include filing and administration. Employers often seek candidates for entry level payroll jobs who have a GCSE pass in mathematics as well as some prior office experience. A familiarity with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft databases is also helpful. An AAT or IPP certificate in payroll administration is often necessary for candidates seeking more senior posts.

Candidates are likely to find vacancies across the UK at councils and major companies with salaries that begin for administrators at around £21,500 per year (using Randstad's salary checker). For payroll managers of larger teams, the per annum wage can go up to around £40,000 dependant on location.

The list below lays out the many different types or levels of payroll jobs that may be of interest to candidates who are focused on career progression. These positions range from Payroll Staff, to Payroll Management, to Technical / Professional Staff, to Payroll Systems / Information Technology, and to Global Payroll.

How to get a payroll job with little or no experience.

Payroll Staff - This level has many positions within it that include Payroll Technician / Assistant, Payroll Practitioner I (Entry Level), Payroll Practitioner II (Intermediate), Payroll Practitioner III (Senior), Payroll Administrator (1 Person Payroll Department), Lead Payroll Administrator (2 or 3 Person Unit).

Payroll Management - The positions within this level include that of Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Manager / Director, and Director / Vice President of Payroll.

Technical / Professional Staff - The various positions within this category are Accounting Technician, Payroll Accounting / Payroll Analyst, Payroll Records / Benefits Administrator, and Payroll Tax Administrator.

Payroll Systems / Information Technology - Within this category of payroll jobs are positions that include Data Processing / Entry Operator, Lead Operator, Payroll Systems Coordinator, and Payroll Systems Analyst.

Global Payroll - The jobs at this level are that of Payroll Supervisor of Global Payroll, Manager / Director of Global Payroll, and Director / Vice President of Global Payroll.

Typical payroll duties.

At the entry level positions candidates can expect to perform tasks that will establish and maintain employee and payroll records. Duties may involve checking and auditing timekeeping records, verifying records are in compliance with established standards, maintaining time and attendance records, entry of new employees into the payroll system, making changes in the pay and tax status of employees, and other miscellaneous changes. Generally all the tasks and routines at this level are guided by established procedures, requiring little or no deviation. Individuals in this role are usually under close supervision and the requirements for candidates are typically a basic education with a good aptitude for mathematics and accounting. Office experience plus some knowledge of calculator, word processor, and spreadsheet programs may be required.

At the highest levels of payroll jobs there are positions like that of Director / Vice President of Global Payroll. This is a senior person of an organisation who is responsible for global payroll and related activities, as well as directing the activities of a senior management payroll team and its members. The individual in this role will have relationships with internal and external auditors as well as certain local and central government agencies.

Much of the time in this role is occupied on corporate payroll strategy, planning, communications, and marketing the function and services related to payroll. This individual may also oversee global expansion initiatives. The requirements of this job may generally include five to seven years of payroll and/or very similar experience. A degree in accounting, business, or a related field is likely to be what potential employers are looking for in candidates. The primary task of this senior most position in an organisation is directing and managing the activities of others.

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