Job Descriptions

Payroll Officer Job Description

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

Job description of a Payroll Officer

Payroll Officers are compensation and taxation specialists who keep track of a company’s payroll information. Their job is to track employee work hours, handle company payroll data, and issue employee paychecks at the end of the pay period.

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

Payroll Officer Duties and Responsibilities

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

  • Collecting daily, weekly, and monthly employee time sheets.
  • Calculating employee work hours.
  • Calculating employee benefits and deductions.
  • Distributing payment statements.
  • Ensuring taxes comply with company and state regulations.
  • Scheduling electronic payments and handing out paychecks.
  • Preparing payroll reports.
  • Responding to employee questions about compensation, taxes, benefits, and deductions.
  • Entering new employee data into the company database.
  • Preparing employee compensation checks using payroll software.

Payroll Officer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

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

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Human Resources, or a similar field.
  • Previous experience working as a Payroll Officer.
  • Advanced Mathematical skills and strong attention to detail.
  • Familiarity with labor laws.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to prepare and present financial reports.
  • Proficient with payroll software including Quickbooks, Sage, EPAY, and Gusto.
  • Familiarity with accounting software and procedures.
  • Ability to handle confidential information.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Payroll Officer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Payroll Officer 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 Officer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.