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.

Q: Is being a payroll specialist a good job?

Yes, being a payroll specialist is a good job. This role is not challenging to learn and provides many professional opportunities. A payroll specialist keeps track of the time people spend working and makes sure they're getting paid the right amount for those hours. They ensure the hours worked are correct and that the employees are paid on time.

Q: Is it hard to be a payroll specialist?

Yes, it is hard to be a payroll specialist. While every position comes with its pros and cons, being a payroll specialist can be a challenging role due to the complexity of the role and the short turnaround time for payroll.

Q: What should be included in a payroll resume?

You should include the following in your payroll resume: A header section at the top with your name and contact information Work experience Specific payroll software used (such as Paychex, ADP, Criterion) Quantifiable achievements where possible (how many employees you were processing, error margin, satisfaction rating) Understanding of payroll regulations and tax forms Finish with Education and Certifications

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

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 4

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 5

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.

Question 6

How much does a payroll specialist make at ADP?

Accepted Answer

The average payroll specialist at ADP makes around $49,000 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 at ADP. These factors can include experience, education, and location. All three of these components combined will influence the salary of a payroll specialist.

Question 7

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 8

Is being a payroll specialist a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a payroll specialist is a good job. This role is not challenging to learn and provides many professional opportunities.

A payroll specialist keeps track of the time people spend working and makes sure they're getting paid the right amount for those hours. They ensure the hours worked are correct and that the employees are paid on time.

Question 9

Is it hard to be a payroll specialist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to be a payroll specialist. While every position comes with its pros and cons, being a payroll specialist can be a challenging role due to the complexity of the role and the short turnaround time for payroll.

Question 10

What are the duties of a payroll specialist?

Accepted Answer

The duties of a payroll specialist involve making sure that employees are paid for their work. To be a payroll specialist, you are working with sensitive information and being counted on by employees and managers to administer proper and timely payments.

Question 11

What should be included in a payroll resume?

Accepted Answer

You should include the following in your payroll resume:

A header section at the top with your name and contact information
Work experience
Specific payroll software used (such as Paychex, ADP, Criterion)
Quantifiable achievements where possible (how many employees you were processing, error margin, satisfaction rating)
Understanding of payroll regulations and tax forms
Finish with Education and Certifications

Question 12

What skills do you need to do payroll?

Accepted Answer

To work in payroll, you need skills in organization and familiarity with payroll software. Much of the work in payroll is tracking and processing money. Make sure correct payments are made, including overtime, deductions, and bonuses.

Frequently asked questions about payroll specialists

Questions about becoming a payroll specialist