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Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager Job Description

A Payroll Manager leads and oversees the entire payroll function, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely processing for all employees. This role involves managing a team, interpreting complex payroll legislation, and implementing best practices. The Manager is responsible for all payroll cycles, year-end processing, and statutory remittances. This position demands deep expertise, exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and proven leadership. Typically, 5-8 years of progressive payroll experience, with 2-3 years in management, is required. A Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) is essential; Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) preferred. A profound understanding of Canadian federal and provincial payroll laws is paramount.

Typical payroll manager duties:

Oversee accurate and timely bi-weekly/SEMi-monthly payroll processing.Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team.Ensure strict compliance with Canadian federal and provincial payroll legislation (e.g., ESA, Income Tax Act, EI, CPP).Manage year-end processing (T4s, T4As, other statutory filings).Oversee benefit deductions, garnishments, and remittances.Optimize payroll systems and processes.Resolve complex payroll discrepancies and employee inquiries.Liaise with auditors for payroll matters.

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Salary for Payroll Manager
86250 - 120000
Low
86250
The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.
Mid
108500
The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferrable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.
High
120000
The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.
Projected salaries for related positions Job title Low Mid High Payroll Administrator 58500 69500 77500 Credit Manager 83000 98250 116500 Assistant Credit Manager 62250 78750 91500 Collections/Credit Analyst 54750 64500 74750 Collections/Credit Clerk 51500 59250 66000 Bookkeeper 56500 71250 79000 AR/AP Manager 65000 86500 97500 AR/AP Clerk 47750 56750 63500 Accounting Clerk 47000 52750 58250 Billing Clerk 45000 50750 59000 Inventory Analyst 50750 64000 74750 Inventory Coordinator 43000 50250 60750

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Our starting salary projections come from a rigorous, multistep process so that our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the country and third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use to independently validate the salary levels. Starting compensation—pay for someone new to a role—can vary significantly based on a candidate’s skills, experience and certifications, as well as other factors including industry, company size and revenue, and demand for the role. To reflect this variability, we report our salary data in three levels: low, mid and high.