Job Role Description

Finance > Payroll Specialist

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
46070.0000 51030.0000 57370.0000

Supply and Demand

Candidate Supply: 3,234 Job Openings: 1,559

0 50 100

More Difficult Less Difficult

Salary Variance

Enter City, State to view local salaries and candidate demand.

Short Description:

A Payroll Specialist is responsible for processing and managing payroll to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time. They calculate wages, deductions, and overtime, maintain payroll records, and ensure compliance with tax laws and company policies. Payroll Specialists also address payroll discrepancies, answer employee inquiries, and assist with preparing payroll reports. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and proficiency in payroll software are essential for success in this role.

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Design, evaluate and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
  • Analyze compensation policies, government regulations, and prevailing wage rates to develop a competitive compensation plan.
  • Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
  • Directly prepare and distribute written and verbal communication to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
  • Administer, direct, and review employee benefit programs, including the integration of benefit programs following mergers and acquisitions.
  • Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
  • Identify and implement benefits to increase the quality of life for employees by working with brokers and researching benefits issues.
  • Manage the design and development of tools to assist employees in benefits selection and to guide managers through compensation decisions.
  • Prepare detailed job descriptions and classification systems and define job levels and families in partnership with other managers.
  • Prepare budgets for personnel operations.
  • Review time sheets, work charts, wage computations, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
  • Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
  • Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
  • Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
  • Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
  • Process employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
  • Keep track of employees' leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave.
  • Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
  • Distribute and collect timecards each pay period. Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • Accounting Software: Intuit QuickBooks software; Intuit Quicken software
  • Electronic Mail Software: Email software; Microsoft Outlook; Novell GroupWise
  • Human Resources Software: ADP Enterprise HRMS; API Navigator; Human Resource MicroSystems HR Entre; Sage Abra HRMS
  • Spreadsheet Software: Microsoft Excel
  • Time Accounting Software: ADP eTIME; Unitime Systems Software; Virtual Software Virtual Timecard; WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
  • Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word

Job Zones

  • Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Related Experience: Some previous work-related skills, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. 
  • Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Job Zone Examples: These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others.
  • Specific Vocational Preparation in years: (4.0 to < 6.0)

Similar Positions:

Share Role Details

Return to job listings