Payroll clerk jobs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all require computer skills, business acumen, and a commitment to confidentiality. A person interested in working in accounting can start as a payroll clerk or assistant and work their way up to management or supervisory positions. Others with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration may find work as a payroll administrator, manager, or senior practitioner.
Individuals interested in computing and maintaining data records that correspond to compensation, company profits, taxes, and expenses should consider becoming a payroll clerk assistant. A payroll clerk’s responsibilities include calculating employee hours and wages, tax withholding, social security payments, and issuing paychecks. Before processing payroll payments, the payroll clerk may be responsible for checking the accuracy of the data, including employee vacation and sick leave, in a company that maintains employee records and hours through computer systems. Because many employers provide on-the-job training, this job usually only requires a high school diploma, but excellent math skills are required. An ideal candidate will have some type of office experience.
The job of a payroll accountant or analyst is more difficult than that of an entry-level payroll clerk. Conducting queries, advising the payroll department on complex transactions, spearheading internal audits, and organizing and presenting material to outside auditors are all part of this job. A bachelor’s degree in accounting and at least two years of experience in the field are usually required for this position. A Fundamental Payroll Certification is usually preferred employers looking to fill these types of payroll clerk positions (FPC).
Larger departments may have payroll employees who focus on data entry in terms of information technology. These people are commonly referred to as data processors or entry operators. In general, payroll clerk jobs do not require payroll knowledge, but data entry experience of some sort is required.
Payroll jobs may be assigned as different levels of accounting practitioners or payroll clerks in an organization with more than three employees in the accounting department. Entry-level practitioners usually follow standard procedures for maintaining and issuing payroll and records, whereas a senior practitioner usually handles more complex tasks and trains the department’s entry-level and intermediate accounting employees. In a large company, payroll clerk jobs are frequently classified specialty. Some clerks, for example, specialize in certain aspects of payroll, such as annual bonus programs or sales commissions.
Payroll clerks must keep track of larger departments, benefits, and employee hiring as their companies grow and expand. While the routine aspects of this job are repetitive, a payroll clerk can often find many opportunities to advance with a company as he works and expands his skills and practice. A person who is dedicated to this field may be able to obtain a position in payroll management.