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What does a payroll & human resources assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.
What does a payroll & human resources assistant do

The main duty of a Payroll & Human Resources Assistant is to provide payroll information through collecting time and attendance records. They also answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other important information.

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Payroll & human resources assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real payroll & human resources assistant resumes:

  • Manage and track PTO eligibility.
  • Manage new employee orientation training, including e-verify.
  • Update HRIS system with election updates, notify carriers of changes and perform reconciliation of payroll deductions with vendor invoices.
  • Streamline and update payroll processes and procedures in addition to implementing new time and attendance systems, HRIS and record keeping.
  • Work on Microsoft outlook, word, excel, KRONOS timekeeper and other programs on AS400.
  • Maintain attendance tracking system by recording employee tardy/absentee information, vacation hours earn and used, and FMLA time used.
  • Process information for FMLA, OSHA compliance, EEO compliance, family relations, recruitment, and sexual harassment compliance.
  • Maintain employee files, keep attendance point records for non-exempt employees, and PTO records for all non-exempt and exempt employees.
  • Maintain detailed records of employment, and provide spreadsheets/data of all payroll functions-for audit purposes in accordance with statutory requirements.
  • Maintain employee confidential payroll and HIPAA files.
  • Set up and maintain personnel files, HIPAA files and corrective action files.
  • Complete the hiring process in TALEO.
  • Update employee new hire information in TALEO.
  • Post accounts payable freight bills; enter inventory data on the AS400 system.
  • Enter daily exceptions, employee reviews, swipe errors, and other payroll-relate data into AS400 and HRIS systems.

Payroll & human resources assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Payroll & Human Resources Assistants are proficient in Data Entry, Assist Human Resources, and Background Checks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Organizational skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Payroll & Human Resources Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Data Entry, 6%

    Provided administrative support to upper management via drafting official company correspondence, typing, filing, and performing data entry.

  • Assist Human Resources, 6%

    Provided administrative support to the Human Resource Manager, Distribution Center Manager, Warehouse Manager and Operations Supervisors.

  • Background Checks, 6%

    Processed applications and conducted background checks to ensure eligibility for employment.

  • ADP Payroll, 5%

    Benefit coordination, interviewing, confidential employee information, ADP payroll system

  • Payroll Processing, 5%

    Reviewed and authorize in-house employee terminations and weekly payroll processing.

  • Payroll System, 5%

    Developed, analyzed, and maintained the taxation of subsidized daycare benefit in custom Human Resources/Payroll System.

Common skills that a payroll & human resources assistant uses to do their job include "data entry," "assist human resources," and "background checks." You can find details on the most important payroll & human resources assistant responsibilities below.

Math skills. One of the key soft skills for a payroll & human resources assistant to have is math skills. You can see how this relates to what payroll & human resources assistants do because "the job duties of financial clerks includes calculating charges and updating financial records." Additionally, a payroll & human resources assistant resume shows how payroll & human resources assistants use math skills: "processed time records and compiled multistate payroll statistics. "

Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform payroll & human resources assistant duties is organizational skills. Payroll & human resources assistants responsibilities require that "financial clerks must be able to arrange files so they can find them quickly and efficiently." Payroll & human resources assistants also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "updated organizational flow chart changes on powerpoint (new hires, terminations, etc.). "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for payroll & human resources assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how payroll & human resources assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "financial clerks should be able to explain policies and procedures to colleagues and customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a payroll & human resources assistant: "conceived and maintained human resources department for mack communications. ".

Most common payroll & human resources assistant skills

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Compare different payroll & human resources assistants

Payroll & human resources assistant vs. Payroll clerk

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.

If we compare the average payroll & human resources assistant annual salary with that of a payroll clerk, we find that payroll clerks typically earn a $78 lower salary than payroll & human resources assistants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between payroll & human resources assistants and payroll clerks are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data entry, payroll processing, and payroll system.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between payroll & human resources assistants and payroll clerk. For instance, payroll & human resources assistant responsibilities require skills such as "assist human resources," "background checks," "adp payroll," and "hris." Whereas a payroll clerk is skilled in "photocopying," "excellent organizational," "customer service," and "adp." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Payroll clerks earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $49,623. On the other hand, payroll & human resources assistants are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $45,905.The education levels that payroll clerks earn slightly differ from payroll & human resources assistants. In particular, payroll clerks are 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a payroll & human resources assistant. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs. Payroll analyst

A payroll analyst is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's payroll processes and transactions, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with human resources for accurate and complete timesheets and employee data, managing calendars and schedules, calculating wages and deductions, and performing consistent audits. There are also instances when a payroll analyst must perform clerical tasks such as processing documents, prepare progress reports, and respond to employee inquiries. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers should there be any issues and concerns.

A career as a payroll analyst brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a payroll & human resources assistant. In fact, payroll analysts salary is $12,537 higher than the salary of payroll & human resources assistants per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Payroll & human resources assistants and payroll analysts both require similar skills like "data entry," "payroll system," and "hris" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that payroll & human resources assistant responsibilities requires skills like "assist human resources," "background checks," "adp payroll," and "payroll processing." But a payroll analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "human resources," "reconciliations," and "calculation."

Payroll analysts earn a higher average salary than payroll & human resources assistants. But payroll analysts earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $57,169. Additionally, payroll & human resources assistants earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $45,905 annually.In general, payroll analysts achieve similar levels of education than payroll & human resources assistants. They're 3.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for payroll & human resources assistants in the next 3-5 years?

Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.Sarah DeArmond Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Management and Human Resources Department Chair, Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

I may have answered this question differently before the pandemic, but now I would look at the technology that facilitates remote and other flexible working arrangements. There is more discussion of virtual interviewing, onboarding, and performance management. Any technologies that assist with these activities are going to be more critical, pushing forward.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs. Payroll specialist

It is the primary duty of a payroll specialist to process payroll and maintain an accurate record of the personnel database and ensure employees are paid on time. Payroll specialists are in charge of addressing and resolving employee complaints regarding wages. Also, they manage the company's budget and expenses and prepare reports for the relevant departments. Those with a bachelor's degree in business or accounting are preferred to get the job. Candidates with related job experience and strong knowledge of tax, wage laws, and a good understanding of standard fiscal procedures are highly qualified for the position.

On average scale, payroll specialists bring in higher salaries than payroll & human resources assistants. In fact, they earn a $4,782 higher salary per year.By looking over several payroll & human resources assistants and payroll specialists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "data entry," "hris," and "kronos." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from payroll & human resources assistant resumes include skills like "assist human resources," "background checks," "adp payroll," and "payroll processing," whereas a payroll specialist is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "human resources," "multi-state payroll," and "work ethic. "

Payroll specialists earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $46,995. Payroll & human resources assistants earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $45,905.Most payroll specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to payroll & human resources assistants. For example, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Payroll & human resources assistant vs. Payroll processor

A payroll processor is an individual who processes the payroll of employees for an organization by validating work hours and attendance of employees. Payroll processors must research for discrepancies in payroll information and documentation before processing them, as well as calculate payroll deductions. They assist payroll processing clerks and other team members with all the processes that are related to payroll. The payroll processor must also edit payroll worksheets for the data entry department as well as audit bonus payments for reporting.

Payroll processors typically earn higher pay than payroll & human resources assistants. On average, payroll processors earn a $2,627 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, payroll & human resources assistants and payroll processors both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data entry," "background checks," and "payroll system. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between payroll & human resources assistants and payroll processors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a payroll & human resources assistant might have more use for skills like "assist human resources," "adp payroll," "payroll processing," and "workers compensation." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of payroll processors require skills like "customer service," "adp," "human resources," and "process payroll. "

In general, payroll processors earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $48,053. The highest-paying industry for a payroll & human resources assistant is the manufacturing industry.The average resume of payroll processors showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to payroll & human resources assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of payroll & human resources assistant

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.

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