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How to become a Payroll Administrator

Payroll Administrator

Career progression and salary expectations for a Payroll Administrator

1

Payroll Administrator

| Up to £25,000
2

Payroll Manager

| Up to £35,000
3

HR Manager

| Up to £40,000

The role of a Payroll Administrator

Do you like to keep in control of the purse strings? You should be a Payroll Administrator…

Becoming a Payroll Administrator involves making sure staff members are paid correctly, and on time. It means that you’ll be working with large sums of money on a daily basis, and to strict payment deadlines to make sure everyone gets exactly the right amount, at the right time.

Typical duties for a Payroll Administrator include:

  • Calculating hours staff members have worked
  • Calculating and deducting tax, national insurance and pension payments
  • Adding any statutory payments necessary, including maternity/paternity and sick pay
  • Incorporating additional pay, such as overtime, bonuses or salary increases
  • Processing payment documentation for new starters/leavers, including issuing P45s
To be successful as a Payroll Administrator, first and foremost, you need to be good with numbers. Calculations can often be complicated, and with deadlines approaching, the ability to stay calm and collected is also essential.

Flexibility, and strong communication skills are other necessities.

Other key skills include:

  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Ability to solve complex problems quickly and efficiently
  • Trustworthiness, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
  • PAYE experience is advantageous
  • Proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Word, including Excel
"Being a Payroll Administrator is great, but it also comes with a lot of pressure. You have to make sure all your calculations are correct for everyone to get paid properly, and for a big company with hundreds of employees it can be a huge responsibility. But if you love working with numbers and doing a job that really matters, it doesn't get much better."

Get qualified as a Payroll Administrator

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Payroll Administrator. However, a good understanding of payroll software systems commonly used in the industry (such as Sage Payroll, Xero Payroll, or QuickBooks Payroll) is key - and obtaining payroll qualifications will help to provide a solid foundation of payroll knowledge and skills. Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, or entry-level positions in payroll or finance-related roles is also highly beneficial for aspiring Payroll Administrators.

Recommended Payroll courses

  • Payroll Training - Theory combined with Sage Payroll (Nationwide)

    Acudemy
    CPD Accredited courses | Includes Sage Payroll Licence | Virtual Live Classroom | 0% Interest Free payments available
    • 16 enquiries
    • Classroom
    • 4 days · Full-time
    • 12 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Are you ready to master the art of payroll management? Look no further! Our Payroll Training programme is meticulously designed for individuals who play a pivotal role in handling payroll processes within organisations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, …
    Save 22%
    £699 £900

  • Payroll Training - Theory combined with Sage Payroll (Virtual)

    Acudemy
    CPD Accredited courses | Includes Sage Payroll Licence | Virtual Live Classroom | 0% Interest Free payments available
    • 131 enquiries
    • Online
    • 4 days · Full-time
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 12 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Highly rated
    Are you ready to master the art of payroll management? Look no further! Our Payroll Training programme is meticulously designed for individuals who play a pivotal role in handling payroll processes within organisations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, …
    Save 16%
    £499 £599
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