Q: How long does it take to be a payroll specialist?

It takes about five years to be a payroll specialist. Many employers prefer payroll specialist candidates who have at least five years of experience working in a position related to payroll.

Q: How much do payroll specialists make?

Payroll specialists make around $47,000 in a year. This can range from a lower end of around $40,000 to a high-end salary of around $65,000 per year. Several factors can influence the salary of a payroll specialist. These factors can include experience, education, industry, company, and location. All five of these components combined will influence the salary of a payroll specialist.

Question 1

How do I start a career in payroll?

Accepted Answer

To start a career in payroll, you must have a high school diploma and some work experience. There are many certifications and programs available that can help payroll professionals in their careers.

Question 2

How long does it take to be a payroll specialist?

Accepted Answer

It takes about five years to be a payroll specialist. Many employers prefer payroll specialist candidates who have at least five years of experience working in a position related to payroll.

Question 3

How much do payroll specialists make?

Accepted Answer

Payroll specialists make around $47,000 in a year. This can range from a lower end of around $40,000 to a high-end salary of around $65,000 per year.

Several factors can influence the salary of a payroll specialist. These factors can include experience, education, industry, company, and location. All five of these components combined will influence the salary of a payroll specialist.

Question 4

What are careers in payroll?

Accepted Answer

Careers in payroll include practitioners, payroll managers, and payroll systems coordinators.

Payroll Practitioner
There are three levels of payroll practitioners.
A level one practitioner is responsible for establishing and maintaining employee payroll records. They may handle tasks like auditing time records, establishing standards, and handling changes in payroll. You will need to be familiar with basic skills with a calculator and spreadsheet programs.
A level two payroll practitioner builds on level one skills, computes wages and payments, handles deductions, and oversees advances and terminations. They can operate all department equipment as well. One to two years of related experience is necessary.
A level three payroll practitioner builds on the previous two levels but also handles balancing and controlling earnings and deductions. They also calculate and prepare ledger entries, handle reports, and deal with errors and tax handling.
Special reports and special pay situations, such as military pay, jury duty pay, or garnishments, are also handled at this level.
Payroll Manager
A payroll manager is responsible for several units within a larger payroll department. They oversee the people responsible for payroll preparation and processing, tax reporting, and benefits administration. Sometimes they are responsible for system maintenance.
This person will have payroll supervisors who report directly to them. This position typically requires a bachelor's degree and several years of experience.
Payroll Systems Coordinator
Payroll systems coordinators are responsible for communication between the payroll department and the data or information systems department. This ensures everyone involved in payroll understands and implements the payroll requirements.
They work with staff to identify and handle necessary changes or updates to the system. This position typically requires three to five years of extensive experience.
Payroll Systems Analyst
A payroll systems analyst is responsible for preparing detailed programs for payroll automation. They verify the program specifications and work directly with the programmers. They also implement and maintain the payroll system.
They continually monitor the system for needed changes and communicate this between the payroll and programmers to meet the company's needs. Typically this position requires three to four years of related experience.

Question 5

What degree do you need to be a payroll specialist?

Accepted Answer

You need a bachelor's degree in accounting to be a payroll specialist. A bachelor's degree in business administration is also acceptable.

Master's degrees in these areas are also recommended to help stand out in the field and obtain higher-paying roles.

Question 6

What is the hierarchy of payroll deductions?

Accepted Answer

The hierarchy of payroll deductions consists of mandatory deductions, voluntary deductions, and wage garnishments. The hierarchy of payroll deductions refers to the order and precedence of payroll deductions when an employer is calculating an employee's net compensation.

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	13.44%
Data Entry	6.88%
Payroll Data	4.63%
Human Resources	4.33%
ADP Workforce	3.73%

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What are careers in payroll?

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