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Payroll clerk vs audit clerk

The differences between payroll clerks and audit clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a payroll clerk, becoming an audit clerk takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a payroll clerk has an average salary of $41,602, which is higher than the $39,465 average annual salary of an audit clerk.

The top three skills for a payroll clerk include data entry, payroll system and photocopying. The most important skills for an audit clerk are reservations, night audit, and debit.

Payroll clerk vs audit clerk overview

Payroll ClerkAudit Clerk
Yearly salary$41,602$39,465
Hourly rate$20.00$18.97
Growth rate-3%-5%
Number of jobs71,94497,427
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4851
Years of experience46

What does a payroll clerk do?

A payroll clerk is responsible for managing the payroll process by collecting the necessary information needed to release payments. Payroll clerks' duties include verifying timesheets, calculating necessary deductions, issuing paychecks timely, managing payment discrepancies and disputes, updating employee's payment information in the database, and creating payroll reports. A payroll clerk must have strong analytical and organization skills, as well as a clear understanding of the organization's payroll policies, ensuring that the process follows regulatory procedures.

What does an audit clerk do?

An Audit Clerk performs general audits and assessments on its financial activities, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They gather and analyze data from various offices, check customer and vendor payments and balances, verify tax deductions, and produce and review reports, keeping an eye out for any inconsistencies and irregularities. An Audit Clerk may also reconcile financial records in some companies, verify bank transactions, and process payments. Moreover, they also perform clerical tasks such as preparing documentation, organizing files, and handling calls and correspondence.

Payroll clerk vs audit clerk salary

Payroll clerks and audit clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Payroll ClerkAudit Clerk
Average salary$41,602$39,465
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $30,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABrentwood, NY
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew Jersey
Best paying companyMDU ResourcesVermont Gas Systems
Best paying industryGovernmentTransportation

Differences between payroll clerk and audit clerk education

There are a few differences between a payroll clerk and an audit clerk in terms of educational background:

Payroll ClerkAudit Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Payroll clerk vs audit clerk demographics

Here are the differences between payroll clerks' and audit clerks' demographics:

Payroll ClerkAudit Clerk
Average age4851
Gender ratioMale, 12.4% Female, 87.6%Male, 24.5% Female, 75.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.5% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage10%7%

Differences between payroll clerk and audit clerk duties and responsibilities

Payroll clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage all worker compensation and cobra benefit issues and filings.
  • Manage employee drug and background screenings, train new hires and verify I9 information.
  • Process payroll; assist in establishing new time and attendance (KRONOS) computer system; balance insurance billings.
  • View, key, post and monitor time and labor, absences and leave balances in PeopleSoft HRIS system.
  • Compile data and enter information into ADP payroll processing system.
  • Process payroll and transmit electronically to outside computer service for preparation of payroll checks and reports.
    • Show more

Audit clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage multiple deadlines for numerous payroll divisions and complex division budget reports with accurately and efficiently.
  • Manage resident's private information for insurance verification, billing, and eligibility to apply for Medicaid.
  • Contact members to update information using AS400.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for all new processes being implement.
  • Work closely with KIVA robotic systems and AS400 tracking systems.
  • Open, sort and batching of incoming mails utilizing Opex machine.
    • Show more

Payroll clerk vs audit clerk skills

Common payroll clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 19%
  • Payroll System, 10%
  • Photocopying, 7%
  • Excellent Organizational, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • ADP, 5%
Common audit clerk skills
  • Reservations, 23%
  • Night Audit, 16%
  • Debit, 12%
  • Audit Reports, 11%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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