Job Descriptions

Payroll Assistant Job Description

What is the job description of a Payroll Assistant? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Payroll Assistant? What does a Payroll Assistant do?

Job description of a Payroll Assistant

Payroll Assistants, also known as Payroll Clerks, gather timesheets, capture time worked, and draft paychecks before employees are compensated.

This Payroll Assistant job description example includes the list of most important Payroll Assistant duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Payroll Assistant profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Payroll Assistant Duties and Responsibilities

Payroll Assistant job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Gathering and examining timesheets to ensure their validity.
  • Entering start and end times onto the payroll software.
  • Capturing approved annual and sick leave.
  • Ensuring that compensation for overtime work is calculated at the appropriate rate, and that annual leave is calculated accordingly, if applicable.
  • Addressing queries about payroll-related issues.
  • Working to resolve discrepancies in payments as a matter of urgency.
  • Confirming that legally-mandated and optional deductions have been processed correctly.
  • Preparing and distributing hard copy or electronic paychecks.
  • Performing all tasks well before the pay run to ensure that staff members are compensated and notified on time.

Payroll Assistant Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Payroll Assistant job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • High school diploma.
  • Completion of a bookkeeping or similar course is highly advantageous.
  • Previous experience as a Payroll Assistant, preferably within a company of a similar size.
  • Capacity to keep track of numerous ongoing tasks.
  • Adherence to all prescribed ethical guidelines, including confidentiality.
  • Strong sense of integrity.
  • Familiarity with payroll software.
  • Excellent data entry, data cleaning, and math skills.
  • Knowledge of legislation and procedures pertaining to salary deductions.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Payroll Assistant starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Payroll Assistant job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Payroll Assistant may also reference it in preparation for the interview.