Payroll administrator

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course which will give you some of the skills you’ll need to apply for a trainee payroll position or an apprenticeship. Some of the courses that are available include:

• bookkeeping
• computerised payroll
• a T Level in accounting

Some courses can be studied at college or by distance learning. Speak to your chosen college to find the right level of course for you.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a Payroll Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

If you want to train for management, you could do a Payroll Assistant Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships are offered by commercial companies and public sector organisations, and take around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to join a payroll department as an assistant or take on payroll responsibilities while working in a related role like human resources or finance. You could then do on-the-job training through a professional body, such as:

• The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
• Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers

Courses are available from introductory level to foundation degree and higher.

DirectApplication

You could apply directly for jobs. Employers will expect you to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including maths.

While experience in payroll is not always essential to start, a background in bookkeeping or accounts could help improve your job prospects.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• administration skills
• the ability to work well with others
• maths knowledge
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• customer service skills
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Payroll administrators make sure employees get paid the right amount on the right date.

As a payroll administrator, you will:

• enter employee data onto a payroll system
• process wages, overtime, deductions and send out pay slips
• calculate statutory contributions like pensions and National Insurance
• audit information to make sure it’s accurate and up-to-date
• answer staff queries about timesheets or pay slips
• create payroll reports for management

Location : You could work in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a manager of a payroll or finance department in a large organisation, like a local authority or the NHS.

You might also:

• move into pensions management or human resources
• train to qualify as an accountant
• work in payroll software development
• manage an agency that provides payroll services to businesses