Payroll Clerk job summary
A good job description starts with an attention-grabbing summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is suitable for them.
Example of a Payroll Clerk job summary
We recognize how hard our employees work to serve our clients and help our business grow. We’re looking for an experienced Payroll Clerk to make sure that all of our staff receive on-time paychecks and understand their salaries thoroughly. We’ll rely on our payroll clerk to audit and verify all time keeping records of employees’ hours worked as well as any deductions or withholdings required to comply with state and federal law. We also need a professional who is willing to work cross-departmentally with accounting to ensure the entire business runs as smoothly as possible.
Payroll Clerk responsibilities and duties
The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.
- Verify timekeeping records and consult employees about any discrepancies
- Record payroll data in our software system and verify all amounts prior to cutting checks
- Alter employee tax status as needed as well as any information about withholding
- Prepare manual checks for distribution to employees
- Initiate direct deposits
- Change employee banking records when necessary to process payments accurately
- Record employee complaints, questions and concerns about payroll services and communicate those issues to HR manager
- Maintain compliant policies and procedures for processing payroll checks
Payroll Clerk qualifications and skills
Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.
- Diploma required (Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field preferred)
- Minimum one year payroll department experience
- Ability to process basic functions and formulas in Microsoft Excel
- Familiarity with payroll software a plus
- Strong attention to detail required
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