Payroll administrators handle all aspects of payroll, including taxes and deductions. A variety of skills are required, and certification courses or a degree in accounting or finance can be helpful. Working in a related field can also lead to opportunities in payroll administration.
A payroll administrator usually handles all aspects of payroll for a company’s employees, such as calculating hourly pay, overtime, bonuses, deductions, and taxes. With the wide range of subjects covered, someone hoping to work in payroll administration will benefit from having a variety of skills such as knowledge of tax laws, accounting skills and analytical skills. Many companies do not require specific degrees or certifications to work in the payroll administration field, but you can earn a college degree in accounting or finance or attend one of the many certificate programs available if you are interested in working in the field.
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to get into payroll administration is by working in a related field at a company. You can start as a secretary, an assistant, or another position, but if you demonstrate that you like the company and work hard, you can work your way up through the company to the payroll department. From there, you can learn as much as possible and eventually get the opportunity to work directly in payroll administration. It may seem like a longer route than others, but you can become an integral part of the company, learn how it works, demonstrate your best skills, and get to know employees and others, making you a well-rounded employee.
If you’d rather get training in payroll administration than try interviewing directly for positions in that field, you can choose to pursue certification courses. These courses are designed to give you an overview of all aspects of a job in payroll administration in a short period of time, such as 12 months. Specific information for each situation you may encounter may not be covered in the course, but you will gain a lot of knowledge about most aspects of the job.
Obtaining a college degree is another option if you want to get into payroll administration. Degree programs in accounting and finance are usually the most common programs pursued by those who want to work in this field. In both programs, you typically study things like accounting, tax law, finance, and other skills that might be needed in payroll administration. Some colleges even invite students to shadow or work part-time in college offices related to their field of study. Doing so would give you experience and education in that field, which could make you a much more attractive prospect for a potential employer.
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