The payroll job is an essential role of any company. Payroll professionals are in place to ensure that staff are paid their wages on time and correctly.
Who can I work for?
Any company that has staff who need paying! Companies that require payroll staff usually have in excess of ten employees.
Where and when can I work?
Location of employment is wide and varied in this field. The payroll function department of large firms will usually be based at head office. Usual office hours apply for many payroll administration positions. You may be required to work on some bank holidays to ensure that salaries are paid on time.
What can I earn?
Salaries typically start between £13,000 and £18,000 a year. With experience and responsibility, this can rise to between £20,000 and £25,000.
What are the benefits?
Management salaries often range between £18,000 and £40,000 a year, depending on the size of the team and level of responsibility, so it's well worth working your way up.
Are there chances of promotion?
As you develop knowledge and gain experience, opportunities to add to your accreditations will arise. The addition of extra qualifications can increase the chances of promotion to a supervisory or managerial role.
What will I be responsible for?
Your overall responsibility is to accurately calculate wages and ensure that the employees of the organisation are paid on time and correctly.
You will also be responsible for calculating any tax or national insurance deductions and pensions contributions, and statutory payments, such as maternity, paternity and sick leave.
Do I need any experience?
Previous experience isn't essential in this field. However you will normally be expected to have GCSE Maths and English (Grade C or above), and basic computer skills in Word and Excel.
What attributes are needed?
You will need to be computer literate, good with numbers and methodical. A position within a payroll department will often be driven by procedure.
You will also need to be a strong team player and have excellent communication skills as you will, from time-to-time, be answering queries from staff.