Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Payroll administrator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Janice Garnett Ed.D.
Payroll administrator example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical payroll administrator skills. We ranked the top skills for payroll administrators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.4% of payroll administrator resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a payroll administrator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 payroll administrator skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how payroll administrators use customer service:
  • Provided immediate and attentive customer service regarding all aspects of payroll administration to all associates throughout the company.
  • Provided customer excellent customer service in resolving issues and communicate with vendors regarding office supplies and equipment.

2. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how payroll administrators use data entry:
  • Implemented several automated processes, eliminating need for extra personnel, reducing data entry errors and expedited payroll cycle turnaround time.
  • Assisted coordinators with preparation of payroll by organizing proper documentation and data entry information into payroll system.

3. Payroll System

Here's how payroll administrators use payroll system:
  • Prepared quarterly tax reports, managed/updated benefits reports, and updated new hires/ terminations in payroll systems.
  • Process and control semi-monthly salary personnel payroll system for GM Regional Medical and Security Personnel.

4. Human Resources

Human resources is a set of people in a business or a corporation that are designated to locate, interview, and recruit new employees into the company. They are also responsible to maintain the integrity of the employees and help them sort their problems out. They try to introduce and manage employee-benefit programs.

Here's how payroll administrators use human resources:
  • Performed administrative functions for human resources, including unemployment form processing, benefits coordination, and weekly payroll.
  • Developed several payroll reports for the Human Resources and Accounting departments to satisfy monthly stewardship requirements.

5. Payroll Data

Here's how payroll administrators use payroll data:
  • Provide monthly budget variance analysis as well as provide assistance with annual budget preparation and budget software system payroll database maintenance.
  • Transmitted payroll data and ensures accuracy of paychecks received from the processor through established reconciliation process.

6. Process Payroll

Here's how payroll administrators use process payroll:
  • Process payroll relocation payments, tuition reimbursements payments and travel reimbursements.
  • Process Payroll utilizing Reynolds & Reynolds -Garnishments and General Ledger entries

Choose from 10+ customizable payroll administrator resume templates

Build a professional payroll administrator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your payroll administrator resume.

7. Kronos

Kronos is an employee time tracking software popular in the US.

Here's how payroll administrators use kronos:
  • Time and attendance system - KRONOS: Ensure that the hours and allowances import correctly from KRONOS to payroll.
  • Uploaded parking deductions, bonuses, and recorded hours in the KRONOS time and attendance system.

8. Reconciliations

Here's how payroll administrators use reconciliations:
  • Processed all year-end reports, account reconciliations and all tax-related materials while tracking all employee financial information.
  • Processed and prepared monthly general ledger and allocation entries as well as garnishment payment invoices and reconciliations.

9. PTO

Paid time off or often referred to as PTO, is given in most companies or agencies intended for their employees. Although there are many benefits and time offs given for employees such as vacation leave, sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, bereavement leave, PTO is when the worker is given time to have a break or not go to work for essential purposes. This kind of agreement happens every year, wherein the workers are paid to have a break from work. Not all employers give such an offer, depending on the status of the company.

Here's how payroll administrators use pto:
  • Discovered problematic miscalculation in current PTO Reporting and drafted a resolution allowing correct and current PTO standings.
  • Performed all eligibility/tracking for benefits/paid-time off (PTO) utilizing case management tools.

10. HRIS

Here's how payroll administrators use hris:
  • General HR responsibilities including employee relations management, performance management facilitation, benefits design, HRIS support for employee and manager.
  • Worked closely with HR to ensure new employees and transfers were processed within HRIS and payroll systems as quickly as possible.

11. Multi-State Payroll

Here's how payroll administrators use multi-state payroll:
  • Administer all functions of ADP online Multi-State payroll for the parent corporation and its five (5) subsidiaries.
  • Process all phases of Bi-Weekly U.S. Multi-State payroll for 3000 employees including off cycle payments for multiple business entities.

12. ADP Payroll

Here's how payroll administrators use adp payroll:
  • Converted Lawson in-house payroll system to ADP payroll system to increase productivity and eliminate data processing time spent updating tax information.
  • Streamlined payroll administration by identifying and implementing new ADP payroll system.

13. Accruals

Here's how payroll administrators use accruals:
  • Interfaced with corporate general ledger department to ensure accurate accounting of employee related expenses and accruals.
  • Calculated vacation accruals; Health and Welfare calculations; Audited benefits irregularities.

14. Timekeeping

Here's how payroll administrators use timekeeping:
  • Audited payroll accounts to identify and correct delinquent and/or erroneous actions or timekeeping errors and reconstruct payment histories.
  • Assigned accounts to work order and purchase requisitions, performed daily timekeeping for salaried and nonsalaried personnel.

15. Manual Checks

Manual checks are payments issued to employees outside an organization's payroll system. It usually occurs for early and late payments, often due to terminations, resignations, job orders, and late submission of requirements.

Here's how payroll administrators use manual checks:
  • Processed manual checks, grossed up calculations and hypothetical calculations.
  • Prepared manual check requests providing supporting documentation.
top-skills

What skills help Payroll Administrators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What payroll administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Janice Garnett Ed.D.Janice Garnett Ed.D. LinkedIn profile

Senior Lecturer, University of Nebraska - Omaha

New leaders must balance their vision with the realities and priorities of the school and/or school district. In other words, begin by developing an entry plan to learn and understand existing budget(s), staffing, community, and other priority needs of the school and/or district. Include in the plan how you will focus on relationships to build trust and rapport with all stakeholders. A communication plan with transparent messages and ample active listening will be key. The educational landscape constantly evolves, calling for continuous learning through professional development, networking, and mentorship.

List of payroll administrator skills to add to your resume

Payroll administrator skills

The most important skills for a payroll administrator resume and required skills for a payroll administrator to have include:

  • Customer Service
  • Data Entry
  • Payroll System
  • Human Resources
  • Payroll Data
  • Process Payroll
  • Kronos
  • Reconciliations
  • PTO
  • HRIS
  • Multi-State Payroll
  • ADP Payroll
  • Accruals
  • Timekeeping
  • Manual Checks
  • Calculation
  • W-2
  • ADP Workforce
  • General Ledger Accounts
  • Payroll Journal Entries
  • Payroll Checks
  • Direct Deposits
  • Child Support Orders
  • Payroll Reports
  • Benefit Deductions
  • Financial Statements
  • Payroll Taxes
  • Payroll Issues
  • Payroll Deductions
  • Payroll Functions
  • UltiPro
  • Wage Garnishments
  • Workers Compensation
  • Payroll Software
  • Taxation
  • ACH
  • Rate Changes
  • Status Changes
  • SOX
  • Review Payroll
  • Payroll Accounts
  • FMLA
  • PeopleSoft
  • Maintaining Payroll
  • Payroll Procedures
  • Tax Returns
  • W2
  • Tax Reports
  • Tax Levies

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs