Payroll Specialist Job Description

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

Job description of a Payroll Specialist

Payroll Specialist is a human resources professional responsible for managing of the payroll process. Payroll Specialists collect employee data, calculate wages, prepare paychecks, and process employee payments.

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

Payroll Specialist Duties and Responsibilities

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

  • Collect information on working hours of each employee
  • Determine the right payroll amount by calculating overtime, bonuses etc. 
  • Prepare payroll payments and ensure payroll funding is in place
  • Ask for confirmation of suggested payments from senior management 
  • Answer employees' questions about payroll 
  • Compile key operational payroll metrics & dashboards
  • Prepare periodic payroll reconciliation and submit reports to the payroll manager for review
  • Handle and process and execute payments and paychecks
  • Prepare and process statements of payment 
  • Prepare and execute taxes and payment of employee benefits

Payroll Specialist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

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

  • BSc/BA in accounting/business or similar relevant field
  • Previous working experience as a Payroll Specialist for (x) year(s)
  • In-depth knowledge of general accounting principles and payroll best practices
  • Outstanding organizational and time management skills
  • Excellent communication abilities
  • Aptitude in problem-solving
  • Hands on experience with relevant software (e.g. Kronos, Payforce) and databases
  • Great attention to detail and confidentiality
  • Computer savvy with working knowledge of relevant software (e.g. Payforce)
  • Exquisite math and numerical skills

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