How to hire a payroll auditor

How to hire a payroll auditor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step payroll auditor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a payroll auditor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new payroll auditor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a payroll auditor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A payroll auditor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, payroll auditors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of payroll auditor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Payroll Auditor	Description	Hourly rate
   Payroll Auditor	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show more	$15-28
   Account Auditor	The account auditor is the person tasked to conduct audits in sales accounts handled by the company. As with an auditor, this person checks all financial statements, investigates each entry, making sure everything is accounted for correctly... Show more	$25-52
   Payroll Manager	A payroll manager is responsible for monitoring the payment process of all employees. Payroll managers oversee payroll records, reviewing calculable taxes and other deductions, creating a comprehensive summary of payroll details, managing payroll discrepancies, and releasing payroll checks through the organization's payment method... Show more	$30-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Audit Payroll
   • Payroll Data
   • Payroll Processing
   • Financial Statements
   • Audit Reports
   • Payroll System
   • ADP
   • Lawson
   • Workers Compensation
   • Payroll Operations
   • W-2
   • SOX
   • Collective Bargaining
   • Financial Reports

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage PTO and cafeteria benefits program.
   • Work with Kronos then go to eTime.
   • Utilize ADP contacts to ensure that proper tax and government data is up to date.
   • Audit pay information and import into ADP, resolving payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information.
   • Work closely with internal and external auditors to assess and improve existing audit procedures and SOX compliance.
   • Reconcile managers and timekeepers entries within Kronos.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your payroll auditor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A payroll auditor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, payroll auditors' average salary in georgia is 23% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level payroll auditors 45% less than senior-level payroll auditors.
   • Certifications. A payroll auditor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a payroll auditor's salary.

   Average payroll auditor salary

   $45,159yearly

   $21.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level payroll auditor salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a payroll auditor job description

   A payroll auditor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a payroll auditor job description:

   Payroll auditor job description example

   Join a fast-paced and energetic workplace where you can build a rewarding career!
   
   With more than 40 years of transportation experience, PGT Trucking Inc. is a leader in flatbed shipping solutions with the best drivers, mechanics, and office talent in the industry.
   
   If you are interested in becoming part of our team, there are a few things you should know:
   
   * You will have PURPOSE. Transportation and logistics are critical to the economy, commerce, and society; and every person working in the supply chain plays a vital role.
   * You will GROW. Your job will expose you to areas outside of your comfort zone, like economics, mathematics, technology, international law, and customer relations. PGT offers in-house training programs and supports education to evolve your role.
   * You will be CHALLENGED. No two days are the same in the transportation industry, and the dynamic nature of the work makes for a challenging and fulfilling career.
   
   Did we spark your interest? Read on and learn more about this role:
   
   Summary Of Responsibilities: Prepares accurate and timely contract settlements. Reviews related records and reports to ensure accuracy. Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word. Windows knowledge is good and 10 key proficient.
   
   How YOU Will Make an Impact
   
   * Maintains accurate manual and computer-generated reports.
   * Prepares and distributes timely and accurate contract settlements and payroll reports.
   * Effectively communicates within the department as well as with other areas.
   * Assists in the preparation and auditing of driver, agent, and brokerage settlements for PGT Trucking and it entities.
   * Prepares weekly payroll reports and ties down to reconcile payments disbursed to drivers and agents.
   * Communicates professionally with drivers and carriers concerning settlement issues.
   
   What YOU Need to Succeed
   
   * High School diploma or equivalent.
   * Proficiency with Microsoft Suite applications.
   * Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
   
   The PGT Advantage
   
   * Competitive salary
   * Medical, dental, and vision coverage
   * Life insurance
   * Disability
   * Paid time off and holiday
   * Company matched 401k
   
   Let's put your expertise into action, because whether you are behind the scenes or behind the wheel, it takes a TEAM to keep America moving! We are PGT. Join us!
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   PGT Trucking Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or veteran status, and encourage all applicants to apply.
   
   Aliquippa, PA • 15001 • Beaver County

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find payroll auditors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any payroll auditors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level payroll auditors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find payroll auditor candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with payroll auditor candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new payroll auditor

   Once you've found the payroll auditor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new payroll auditor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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