Payroll Clerk Career Job Profile -www.justaccountancyjobs.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 18, 2010 -- Payroll clerks, also known as payroll administrators, work for companies or bureau services, to ensure that staff are paid the right amount on the right day. The work could involve:

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calculating and issuing pay by cash, cheque or electronic transfer
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making sure tax and national insurance payments are deducted correctly
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creating records for new staff
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paying staff who are leaving and issuing P45 forms
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processing and recording holiday, sick and maternity pay and expenses
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calculating overtime and shift payments
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implementing pay increases
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liaising with the personnel department
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general clerical and computer work.

To be a payroll clerk you should:

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be numerate
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be a clear and logical thinker
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possess good IT skills
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have good communication skills
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be able to work in a team
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be able to work to deadlines
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be well organised and pay attention to detail.

There are no minimum entry requirements, but most employers would look for some GCSEs grades (A-C)/S grades (1-3), particularly in English and maths.

There is no upper age limit for entry, and you will be at an advantage if you have experience or qualifications in a related field like administration, book keeping or accounts. The IPPM Foundation in Payroll Administration is a useful qualification to acquire.

You would usually start work as a trainee, helping more experienced staff and doing routine clerical and computer work. You will do some training on the job, but there is also a clearly defined system of qualifications to help you gain promotion.

NVQs/SVQs in Payroll Administration are available at Levels 2 and 3. They are a formal recognition of the skills you use in your job. When you successfully complete both levels at NVQ/SVQ, you will automatically become an Affiliate of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

The Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management (IPPM) Foundation in Payroll Administration is a qualification for people who are new to work in payroll, or who want to translate their experience into a professional qualification. The Foundation in Payroll Administration certificate is comparable to NVQ level 3.

If you decide to progress to more advanced study, IPPM also offers further qualifications:

Supervision and Team Leading Certificates in Payroll or Pensions (equivalent to NVQ level 4)
Diploma in Local Government Pensions Management
Diploma in Payroll Management (equivalent to NVQ level 5) - completion of the Foundation and/or Supervisory and Team Leading Certificates will exempt you from parts of this qualification.

You can complete IPPM courses by distance learning. There are also weekend schools, which will give you the chance to revise, talk to tutors, take a mock exam, and meet other students. Alternatively, twelve-week fast-track study is possible for the Foundation and Diploma qualifications, at one of the twelve regional training centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See the IPPM website for details.

The starting salary for a payroll clerk starts at around £9,000.
With more experience you could earn £13,500.
A senior payroll clerk can earn up to £18,000.

Further information

Association of Accounting Technicians
154 Clerkenwell Road
London
EC1R 5AD
Tel: 020 7837 8600
www.aat.co.uk

Institute of Payroll and Pensions Management
Shelly House
Farmhouse Way
Monkspath
Solihull
West Midlands
B90 4EH
Tel: 0121 712 1000

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