What Do Payroll Clerks Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Payroll Clerks compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees’ time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks. They also process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.

Other tasks include:

• Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
• Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
• Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
• Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
• Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.
• Keep informed about changes in tax and deduction laws that apply to the payroll process.

We asked Payroll Clerks how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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75% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 54% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Payroll Clerks complete time sheets showing employees’ arrival and departure times. They verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.

A typical day for a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk will also include:

• Compile employee time, production, and payroll data from time sheets and other records.
• Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
• Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.
• Provide information to employees and managers on payroll matters, tax issues, benefit plans, and collective agreement provisions.
• Balance cash and payroll accounts.

We asked some Payroll Clerks a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	96% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	24% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	21% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	33% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Payroll Clerks also prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements. They may also process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Payroll Clerks Complete, verify, and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits, such as pension plans, and unemployment and medical insurance. They might also Compile statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts, and submit them to appropriate departments.

In addition, they Post relevant work hours to client files to bill clients properly.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Balance cash and payroll accounts.

To some Payroll Clerks, it is also their responsibility to Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/financial-clerks.htm

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