Payroll representative vs payroll bookkeeper

The differences between payroll representatives and payroll bookkeepers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a payroll representative and a payroll bookkeeper. Additionally, a payroll bookkeeper has an average salary of $46,087, which is higher than the $45,054 average annual salary of a payroll representative.

The top three skills for a payroll representative include data entry, payroll data and payroll system. The most important skills for a payroll bookkeeper are reconciliations, general ledger, and journal entries.

Payroll representative vs payroll bookkeeper overview

	Payroll Representative	Payroll Bookkeeper
Yearly salary	$45,054	$46,087
Hourly rate	$21.66	$22.16
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	6,076	8,176
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Payroll representative vs payroll bookkeeper salary

Payroll representatives and payroll bookkeepers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payroll Representative	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average salary	$45,054	$46,087
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	ABB	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between payroll representative and payroll bookkeeper education

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

	Payroll Representative	Payroll Bookkeeper
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Payroll representative vs payroll bookkeeper demographics

Here are the differences between payroll representatives' and payroll bookkeepers' demographics:

	Payroll Representative	Payroll Bookkeeper
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%	Male, 12.8% Female, 87.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between payroll representative and payroll bookkeeper duties and responsibilities

Payroll representative example responsibilities.

Initial set up of associates and day to day processes within Kronos
Field and answer employee payroll questions, assisting staff with determining quota balances, union contract terms, and proper timekeeping.
Prepare tax reports and reconciliations.
Provide individual assistance with timekeeping system as needed.
Compile and provide earning statements while utilizing PeopleSoft and excel spreadsheets.
Prepare and analyze payroll management reports for supervisors and managers, utilizing PeopleSoft reporting.

Payroll bookkeeper example responsibilities.

Manage AR, prepare deposits and perform basic receptionist/customer service tasks in office.
Perform financial management functions including monthly financial statement preparation and bank reconciliations.
Maintain accounts receivable/accounts payable including handling cash and deposits; process reconciliations and financial reports using SchoolFunds.
Process 1099 and W2's.
Process ACH rejections and stop payments.
Post receivables of checks, ACH and credit card payments.

Payroll representative vs payroll bookkeeper skills

Common payroll representative skills

Data Entry, 7%
Payroll Data, 7%
Payroll System, 6%
Human Resources, 6%
Kronos, 4%
Customer Service, 4%

Common payroll bookkeeper skills

Reconciliations, 9%
General Ledger, 7%
Journal Entries, 5%
Tax Returns, 4%
Bank Reconciliations, 4%
Payroll Processing, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Payroll Representative
Payroll Representative vs Payroll Bookkeeper

Updated January 8, 2025

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