skip to Main Content

Payroll Administrator Job Description

What does a Payroll Administrator do?

A Payroll Administrator works for a company or organisation in a finance, accounting, or HR department. Payroll Administrator responsibilities include calculating hours worked, tax, maternity pay, sick pay, and national insurance payments. Payroll Administrators report to a Payroll Manager, Finance Manager, Accounting Manager, or HR Manager.

Our Payroll Administrator job description includes the Payroll Administrator responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Payroll Administrator Example


Our Job Advertising Packages

Choose the best package, edit the advert and post your job!

 StarterPremiumCorporateNationalBrandedResourcer
Reed
Indeed Sponsored
Monster
Google Jobs
Glassdoor
LinkedIn Jobs
Totaljobs
Jobsite
Guardian Jobs
CV-Library
Industry boards
CV Targeting*
many more
£99£199£329£349£399£599
Job Advert Package + Flat Fee Recruitment Services
CV Filtering
Video Interviewing
Interview Scheduling
£799£799£929£949£999£1199

If you need an example job description for a Payroll Administrator download the one below, alternatively we have many other Accounting job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Payroll Administrator do?

Payroll administrators are responsible for payroll processes, computing wages, and ensuring that employees' salaries are paid correctly and on schedule.

Payroll Administrator Role

We are recruiting an individual to join our company as a Payroll Administrator. As part of our team, you will manage all payroll activities, confirming hours and pay rates, recording financial details in our payroll database, and disbursing paycheques and direct deposits. You will use your experience in payroll to ensure accurate and timely payments, accurate recording of vital information, and perform frequent audits. Our ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in human resources, accounting, or a related field. You should be familiar with standard payroll software and processes as well as possess excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.

Payroll Administrator Duties

  • Oversee all payroll processes
  • Ensure accurate pay rates and timely payments
  • Perform internal audits to ensure accurate reporting
  • Record all payroll information in our secure database
  • Disburse paycheques and direct deposits

Payroll Administrator Requirements

  • Prior experience in a payroll department (strongly preferred)
  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, accounting, or a relevant field
  • Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Comprehensive familiarity with payroll software and processes

Payroll Administrator Qualifications

The education and qualifications of a Payroll Administrator might include the following:

  • Four GCSEs/High School Diploma

Payroll Administrator Desired Experience

The relevant experience of a Payroll Administrator might include working in similar roles such as Bookkeeper, Accounting Technician, or Data Entry Clerk, where the individual could develop essential skills such as attention to detail and accounting software proficiency.

Payroll Administrator Training

Possible training of an excellent Payroll Administrator candidate might include:

  • Payroll Assistant Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Payroll Assistant Manager Higher Apprenticeship
  • Level 1 Certificate in Payroll
  • Level 1 Certificate in Bookkeeping
  • Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
  • Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping
  • T Level in Accounting
  • The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals Qualifications

How to write a Payroll Administrator Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Payroll Administrator Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Payroll Administrator Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Payroll Administrator Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Payroll Administrator

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

Back To Top