Payroll Administrators perform an important job in most organisations, as they ensure the rest of the staff are paid correctly and on time, as well as completing all the related paperwork. Most people who choose to make a career in Payroll begin in Administration or Bookkeeping, and then opt to specialise.
Qualifications
It is possible to work in this field without any specific qualifications, as some employers favour hands-on experience over educational achievements, although most require at least a grade C in GCSE maths.
Staff looking for their first job in Payroll, or who aspire towards Management roles will benefit from studying towards certificates from the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) or Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), as well as taking courses covering the use of specialist software, such as Sage.
Employers and salaries
There are lots of employment opportunities for Payroll Administrators, as most large companies and public sector organisations need them. Smaller businesses often outsource their Payroll to specialist firms or accountants, who also require experienced staff, while there are usually short-term temporary jobs in the field available via recruitment agencies.
Salaries for full-time Payroll Administrator positions range from £15,000 to £20,000, although the figure can rise to £25,000 in London. Some companies offer higher pay to workers who combine Payroll duties with other responsibilities, such as purchase ledger or HR administration.