Payroll Officer

Payroll Officer job description

A Payroll professional is responsible for processing payroll, remitting payroll taxes and government reporting as well as preparing monthly, quarterly and year-end payroll statements. A Payroll Supervisor/Manager will ensure compliance with government regulations, establishing and implementing policies on matters such as payroll advancements to employees and the hiring, training and supervision of payroll staff.

Payroll Officer duties and responsibilities of the job

A Payroll Officer job description should include the following duties and responsibilities:

Ensuring all payroll transactions are processed efficiently

Collecting, calculating, and entering data in order to maintain and update payroll information

Compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and non-taxable wages and reporting on this

Determining payroll liabilities by calculating employee federal and state income, social security taxes, employer's social security, unemployment, and workers compensation payments

Resolving payroll discrepancies

Maintaining payroll operations by following policies and procedures

Developing ad hoc financial and operational reporting as needed

Payroll Officer job qualifications and requirements

Although no degree is necessary to enter a career in payroll, a degree in finance or economics would be beneficial.

Aside from this, it is imperative that a Payroll Officer job description highlights the need for great attention to detail, a solid grasp of mathematics, alongside excellent organisational and communication skills. A Payroll Officer will also be exposed to confidential information – thus a high degree of professionalism and discretion should be included in the job description.

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Salary for Payroll Officer

85000 - 100000

25th percentile

85000

The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.

50th percentile

90000

The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.

75th percentile

100000

The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialised certifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or KiwiSaver.

Projected salaries for related positions

Job title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Payroll Manager

110000

125000

150000

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Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process that ensures our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on real compensation data for job candidates our recruiters have matched with companies across the country.

The Salary Guide from Robert Half is the original. We’ve been publishing salary forecasts since 1950, and our guide has served as a trusted source for employers, job seekers, industry associations, government and educational institutions, and national and local media.