How to start a new career working in payroll
THE tills are jingling around the country in the run-up to Christmas, but when you work in payroll, counting the cash and getting payments right is your everyday job.
But how much do you think such a responsible – and important – job pays? See if you guessed right by taking a look at these live job ads below.
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- Payroll Administrator, MHR, Ruddington
- Payroll Consultant, ZEISS Group, Birmingham
- Payroll Manager, Alexander Lloyd Watford
- Payroll Administrator, Lawrence Harvey, Windsor
- Payroll Specialist, Hyper Recruitment Solutions, United Kingdom
Keen on a new career? Want to payroll with it? Here’s all you need to know from Sun Jobs.
What exactly is a payroll job?
Years ago, traditional payroll positions were very simple – you had calculate workers’ wages and pay the exact amount in cash, in the days when most jobs paid weekly.
In modern times, with the vast majority of staff paid monthly into their bank accounts, payroll positions have been modernised too.
Now a typical payroll job remit crosses over with HR, covering recording work hours, staff expenses, calculating tax and delivering pay slips.
In some cases, payroll staff also manage enquiries from employees on their salaries, or from outside companies such as mortgage firms too, who want to check on your employees’ salary and work status.
How much do payroll jobs pay?
The average payroll salary is £42,679, well above the national average.
An entry-level payroll clerk can expect from £23,000 to £32,000.
What skills do I need?
Experts say there are four key skills to build a success payroll career.
Firstly, as you are dealing with money, you must have strong maths skills and apply these practically to work quickly and accurately.
Secondly, as many payroll systems are automated, IT literacy and the ability to keep upskilling in tech is essential.
Thirdly, you need to be a good communicator as you are the link between the company and its staff.
You will be called on when things go wrong with wage payments, so it helps to be empathetic and understanding, especially when staff are stressed.
Finally, payroll is a position of great responsibly.
You need to have personal interiority, and be highly trustworthy as you’ll be dealing with personal information, money and following legally-binding GDPR regulations.
I don’t have any experience in payroll, so how do I find a job?
Payroll is one of the business functions that hires entry-level staff so it can be a great way to get into a company and learn the ropes.
Look out for jobs advertised as ‘payroll administrators’ or ‘payroll assistants’.
They are suitable for school or college leavers or for people looking to change career too.
Generally you’ll be expected to have good maths and English GCSEs or A-levels and extra qualifications such as business studies or economics can help you stand out at interview.
Find out more at the National Careers website.
If you want to progress you career, it’s now possible to study a Foundation Degree in Payroll Management or take a Payroll Assistant Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, which will be funded by your employer. You can find out more at cipp.org.uk
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