Payroll processor vs charge bookkeeper

The differences between payroll processors and charge bookkeepers 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 processor, becoming a charge bookkeeper takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a charge bookkeeper has an average salary of $46,615, which is higher than the $44,307 average annual salary of a payroll processor.

The top three skills for a payroll processor include customer service, data entry and ADP. The most important skills for a charge bookkeeper are reconciliations, payroll tax returns, and balance sheet.

Payroll processor vs charge bookkeeper overview

	Payroll Processor	Charge Bookkeeper
Yearly salary	$44,307	$46,615
Hourly rate	$21.30	$22.41
Growth rate	-3%	-5%
Number of jobs	11,795	27,542
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	48	51
Years of experience	4	6

What does a payroll processor do?

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.

What does a charge bookkeeper do?

A full charge bookkeeper's primary job is to manage and handle all the accounts of a small or medium-sized business. They are responsible for overseeing the accounting duties for a company, including billing customers, preparing bank statements and tax returns, and processing timesheets. Also, a full charge bookkeeper collates and enters vendor expenses, maintains the ledger's accuracy, and process accounts receivables. There are specific requirements you should meet to become a successful full charge bookkeeper, such as having a bachelor's degree in accounting, previous work experience as a charge bookkeeper, and bookkeeping certification.

Payroll processor vs charge bookkeeper salary

Payroll processors and charge bookkeepers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Processor	Charge Bookkeeper
Average salary	$44,307	$46,615
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $58,000	Between $36,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Alaska
Best paying company	Venable	The Carney Group
Best paying industry	Finance	Construction

Differences between payroll processor and charge bookkeeper education

There are a few differences between a payroll processor and a charge bookkeeper in terms of educational background:

	Payroll Processor	Charge Bookkeeper
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll processor vs charge bookkeeper demographics

Here are the differences between payroll processors' and charge bookkeepers' demographics:

	Payroll Processor	Charge Bookkeeper
Average age	48	51
Gender ratio	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	7%

Differences between payroll processor and charge bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Payroll processor example responsibilities.

Manage PTO and cafeteria benefits program.
Assist KRONOS editors as need in the KRONOS timekeeping system.
Input, verify and correct time records using the KRONOS and Lawson software.
Test new software upgrades to payroll HRIS system before implementing to payroll team.
Process, balance and facilitate the transmission of incoming and outgoing ACH files.
Input hours into PeopleSoft and balance batches for assign pay groups according to establish schedule.

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Charge bookkeeper example responsibilities.

Accomplish annual workers comp and business liability audits.
Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
Handle monthly account reconciliations and oversee and are responsible for quarterly financial reporting to company CPA.
Perform a variety of diversify responsibilities including: account management, reconciliations, generating checks, preparing bank deposits.
Handle A/P, A/R, G/L, F/S, P/R, reconcile bank statement and customer relations.
Support internal, external, and SOX audits.

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Payroll processor vs charge bookkeeper skills

Common payroll processor skills

Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 9%
ADP, 5%
Payroll System, 5%
Kronos, 5%
Human Resources, 4%

Common charge bookkeeper skills

Reconciliations, 17%
Payroll Tax Returns, 10%
Balance Sheet, 5%
Fixed Assets, 5%
Excellent Organizational, 5%
General Ledger Accounts, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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