Senior payroll specialist resume examples from 2026
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How to write a senior payroll specialist resume
Craft a resume summary statement
A resume summary is your opening statement that highlights your strongest skills and top accomplishments. It is your chance to quickly let recruiters know who you are professionally - and why they should hire you for the senior payroll specialist role.
Step 1: Mention your current job title or the role you're pursuing.
Step 2: Include your years of experience in senior payroll specialist-related roles. Consider adding relevant company and industry experience as relevant to the job listing.
Step 3: Highlight your greatest accomplishments. Here is your chance to make sure your biggest wins aren't buried in your resume.
Step 4: Again, keep it short. Your goal is to summarize your experience and highlight your accomplishments, not write a paragraph.
These tips will help you demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the senior payroll specialist position.Please upload your resume so Zippia’s job hunt AI can draft a summary statement for you.
List the right project manager skills
Use your Skills section to show you have the knowledge and technical ability to do the job. Here is how to make the most of your skills section and make sure you have the right keywords:
- Look to the job listing. You often need to include the exact keywords from the job description. Take note of the skills listed for the job.
- Put all relevant hard and soft skills in your skills section.
- Be specific. If you are too broad, you may not be giving the best picture of your skills and leave the hiring manager uncertain of your abilities.
- Be up to date. Software names change and companies merge. Don't look out of touch by being careless.
- Be accurate. Spelling and even upper or lowercase can dramatically change meanings. Make sure you are correctly listing your skills.
Here are example skills to include in your “Area of Expertise” on a senior payroll specialist resume:
- PeopleSoft
- Payroll Data
- Reconciliations
- HRIS
- ADP Workforce
- Data Entry
- Multi-State Payroll
- General Ledger
- Payroll Transactions
- Kronos
- UltiPro
- Manual Checks
- PTO
- Timekeeping
- Journal Entries
- W-2
- Calculation
- Quality Client Service
- Strong Analytical
- Accruals
- Payroll Processing System
- Shared Services
- Tax Laws
- Payroll Issues
- Tax Returns
- Excellent Organizational
- Payroll Functions
- Payroll Laws
- Payroll Taxes
- Direct Deposits
Zippia’s AI can customize your resume for you.
How to structure your work experience
Your work experience should be structured:
- With your most recent roles first, followed by earlier roles in reverse chronological order.
- Job title, along with company name and location on the left.
- Put the corresponding dates of employment on the left side.
- Keep only relevant jobs on your work experience.
How to write senior payroll specialist experience bullet points
Your resume is not a list of responsibilities or a job description. Instead, it is your chance to show your accomplishments and show why you're good at what you do.
- Use the What, How, and Why format. Answering these questions turns a bland job description into an effective showcase of your abilities.
- What were your responsibilities or goals?
- How did you accomplish them?
- Why were your results important? (How did it impact your company? Can you quantify the results in numbers? )
Here are effective examples from senior payroll specialist resumes:
Work history example #1
Audit Clerk (Part-Time)
Ogilvy
- Evaluated accounts, employee payroll and company expenses to accurately save money and maximize profit for the company.
- Processed payroll and related benefits.
- Maintained and approved all payroll logs for all warehouse drivers.
- Recommended terminal locations to meet specific telecommunications needs of a wide range of customers.
- Entered information and data into computer using companies AS400 system, Perform driver check-in activities.
Work history example #2
Tax Assistant
Kemper
- Described financial product to customers and accurately explained details.
- Prepared taxes for multi-state high-net-worth individuals, large partnerships, S-Corporations and Corporations.
- Learned from working closely with veteran CPA's in a small and personal office space where growth and interaction were encouraged.
- Supported CPA in fieldwork, planning and other necessary audit functions in various industries.
- Prepared professional presentations using various tools including MS, PowerPoint.
Work history example #3
Payroll Administrator
Tetra Tech
- Prepared and verified payroll reports for management review and analysis
- Participated in the testing of scripts for the roll over process into ADP Enterprise.
- Processed all payroll checks internally and coordinated distribution of checks to multiple facilities.
- Reviewed and updated loan repayment calculations through payroll monthly.
- Updated SUI rates for various taxes in Ultipro.
Work history example #4
Accounts Payable Clerk
Randstad USA
- Reallocated expense account entries in PeopleSoft accounting program.
- Reconciled confidential bank deposits for Brinks ATM Services.
- Processed checks/receipts by hand stamping each one.
- Posted payments that included checks, credit cards, ACH and wires - Completed write offs and maintenance applications for the Collectors
- Accounted for cash and credit card receipts; prepared physician income and management reports; some journal entries.
Zippia’s AI can customize your resume for you.
Add an education section to your resume
Here is the best way to format your education section:
- Display your highest degree first.
- If you graduated over 5 years ago, put this section at the bottom of your resume. If you lack relevant work experience, the education section should go to the top.
- If you have a bachelor's or master's degree, do not list your high school education.
- If your graduation year is more than 15-20 years ago, it's better not to include dates in this section.
Here are some examples of good education entries for resumes:
Some College Courses in health care administration
Baker College, Washington, MI
2002 - 2002
Bachelor's Degree in management
Strayer University, Washington, DC
2002 - 2005
Highlight your senior payroll specialist certifications on your resume
If you have any additional certifications or education-like achievements, add them to the education section.
Start simple. Include the full name of the certification. It's also good to mention the organization that issued the certification. Next, specify when you obtained the certification.
If you have any of these certifications, be sure to include them on your senior payroll specialist resume:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
- Payroll Certification