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How to become a Payroll Administrator

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Payroll Administrator jobs

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Payroll Administrator courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator

| Up to £25,000

Payroll Manager

| Up to £35,000

HR Manager

| Up to £40,000

The role of a Payroll Administrator

What does a Payroll Administrator do?

Do you like to keep in control of the purse strings? You should be a Payroll Administrator…

Becoming a Payroll Administrator involves making sure staff members are paid correctly, and on time. It means that you’ll be working with large sums of money on a daily basis, and to strict payment deadlines to make sure everyone gets exactly the right amount, at the right time.

Typical duties for a Payroll Administrator include:

Calculating hours staff members have worked
Calculating and deducting tax, national insurance and pension payments
Adding any statutory payments necessary, including maternity/paternity and sick pay
Incorporating additional pay, such as overtime, bonuses or salary increases
Processing payment documentation for new starters/leavers, including issuing P45s

Is a career as a Payroll Administrator right for me?

To be successful as a Payroll Administrator, first and foremost, you need to be good with numbers. Calculations can often be complicated, and with deadlines approaching, the ability to stay calm and collected is also essential.

Flexibility, and strong communication skills are other necessities.

Other key skills include:

Excellent attention to detail
Ability to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently
Trustworthiness, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
PAYE experience is advantageous
Proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Word, including Excel

What's it like to be a Payroll Administrator?

"Being a Payroll Administrator is great, but it also comes with a lot of pressure. You have to make sure all your calculations are correct for everyone to get paid properly, and for a big company with hundreds of employees it can be a huge responsibility. But if you love working with numbers and doing a job that really matters, it doesn't get much better."

Get qualified as a Payroll Administrator

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Payroll Administrator. However, a good understanding of payroll software systems commonly used in the industry (such as Sage Payroll, Xero Payroll, or QuickBooks Payroll) is key - and obtaining payroll qualifications will help to provide a solid foundation of payroll knowledge and skills. Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, or entry-level positions in payroll or finance-related roles is also highly beneficial for aspiring Payroll Administrators.

Recommended Payroll courses

Payroll Training - Theory combined with Sage Payroll (Virtual)

Acudemy

CPD Accredited courses | Includes Sage Payroll Licence | Virtual Live Classroom | 0% Interest Free payments available
- Compare
- 136 enquiries
- Online
- 4 days · Full-time
- Certificate(s) included
- 12 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

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Are you ready to master the art of payroll management? Look no further! Our 4-day Training programme is meticulously designed for individuals who play a pivotal role in handling payroll processes within organisations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, t …
Save 28%

£499 £700
Payroll Training - Theory combined with Sage Payroll

Acudemy

CPD Accredited courses | Includes Sage Payroll Licence | Hybrid Classroom | 0% Interest Free Plan
- Compare
- 15 enquiries
- Classroom
- 4 days · Full-time
- 24 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

Are you ready to master the art of payroll management? Look no further! Our 4-day Training programme is meticulously designed for individuals who play a pivotal role in handling payroll processes within organisations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, t …
Enquire for pricing