You'll be the Carol Vorderman of your office, able to juggle arithmetical fiugures, but also use the computer and respond to staff queries by email and phone.
Who can I work for?
Firms within the public or private sector or out-of-house companies providing payroll services. There are three main sources of jobs, besides local job centres: One, specialist publications, such as Personnel Today or Payroll World. Two: The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) offers courses for jobseekers in this field. Three: The IPP's (Institute of Payroll Professionals) recommended job supplier is Payrecruit, which provides payroll admin positions of all kinds.
Where and when can I work?
You'll either be employed in-house embedded within a firm's own accounts team or work for an out-of-house firm providing payroll services, both office-based. Usual office hours, 37 hours a week Monday to Friday – except during exceptionally busy periods.
What can I earn?
This varies wildly dependent on location, experience and rank. A Junior Payroll Administrator can earn £13-£18K per annum, this could rise to £20K-£25K upon promotion to a supervisory role and finally managers can make you £40K.
What are the benefits?
Good job prospects. All companies (hopefully!) pay their staff and there are nearly 60,000 positions nationwide. Time is a good profession for part-time prospects. And you get to see what everyone else is earning – though, obviously, confidentiality is paramount. No colleague will want to ruffle your feathers! You'll be the most popular person in the office if all goes smoothly – especially on pay day.
Are there chances of promotion?
You can move on up to become a supervisor or manager, with the help of advanced, additional training courses.
What will I be responsible for?
+ Ensuring colleagues are paid correctly and on time.
+ Scrutinising hours on staff timesheets and calculating accurate wages, including overtime or bonuses plus tax and national insurance – to be paid via cheque, cash or electronic transfer.
+ Calculating statutory payments such as maternity or sick leave.
+ Handling staff queries.
+ Liaising with HR when required.
+ Supplying tax forms.
+ Sort out all the relevant forms for staff leavers and arrivers.
+ Using specialist software to undertake admin duties.
+ Handling large sums of money on a daily basis and making complicated calculations and processing payment under pressure of tight deadlines.
+ You'll keep abreast of the latest developments and changes in payroll law.
What qualifications do I need?
A good English and Maths GCSE, primary computer skills in Word and Excel and be able to use databases and spreadsheets. A qualification in book-keeping would give you a distinct head-start.
Do I need any experience?
No, but don't bother turning up for an interview unless you are able to display the skills required. This means being literate and numerate. Some firms will offer juniors in-house on-the-job training. Others will provide apprentice schemes to earn as you learn. These usually take between one and two years.
What attributes are needed?
Discretion, huge concentration and attention to detail, great with figures and a good team player, especially if the accounts team around you is a small one. You'll be suitably literate (in both English and computer skills) and numerate and be able to meet the tightest deadlines under pressure. You'll be as organised as a Psion and have strong communication skills. You should have a good grounding in PAYE.