Payroll Administrators, also known as Payroll Clerks or Payroll Technicians, screen timecards for calculating, coding, or other errors. They compute pay by subtracting allotments, including Federal and State taxes and contributions to retirement, insurance, and savings plans, from gross earnings.
Increasingly, computers are performing these calculations and alerting Payroll Clerks to problems or errors in the data. In small organizations or for new employees whose records are not yet entered into a computer system, Payroll Clerks may perform the necessary calculations manually.
Payroll Clerks record changes in employees’ addresses; close out files when workers retire, resign, or transfer; and advise employees on income tax withholding and other mandatory deductions. They also issue and record adjustments to workers’ pay because of previous errors or retroactive increases. Payroll Clerks need to follow changes in tax and deduction laws, so they are aware of the most recent revisions. Most employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or GED. Computer skills are very desirable.
Certifications and Degrees for Payroll Professionals
