What does a Payroll Manager do?

Payroll Managers ensure that the payroll departments run smoothly, efficiently and accurately. Payroll employees depend on Payroll Managers for motivation and guidance. Payroll Managers also makes sure that all employees in the business receive their correct earnings on time. They also verify that all employee payments satisfy national laws and guidelines. This check is crucial for operating an organisation within the limits of rules and regulations at all times. Their work in developing and coordinating payroll processes helps businesses improve procedures and efficiency of dispensing wages over time.

Payroll Manager skills and qualifications

Payroll Managers use a combination of technical and leadership skills to manage their departments. Payroll Managers are competent in mathematics, accountancy and bookkeeping. Soft skills such as meticulousness and being organised are also helpful in this profession. A successful Payroll Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:

• Comprehensive understanding of tax and payroll laws
• Mathematics for calculating taxes and employee wages
• Computer literacy in using Microsoft Office suite and payroll software
• Written and verbal communication, including active listening and report writing
• Deductive reasoning for analysing raw payroll data and using it to develop and refine payroll policies
• Conflict resolution for dealing with disputes between payroll team members and employee pay inquiries
• Organised work ethic and multi-tasking

Payroll Manager experience requirements

Working as a Payroll Administrator gives candidates valuable experience dealing with payroll. Most people work as a Payroll Administrator for several years before becoming managers. This job can be secured through a traditional hiring process or through an advanced apprenticeship as a Payroll Administrator. Candidates with unrelated management experience can also make good Payroll Managers. However, these managers should have some experience in dealing with accounts. The amount of desirable experience varies according to education and training, however many employers prefer candidates with at least two to five years of managerial experience in a payroll department.

Payroll Manager education and training requirements

Businesses usually hire Payroll Managers with the education needed for an advanced apprenticeship as a Payroll Administrator. That is five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including Mathematics and English. This educational level matters, whether candidates completed an apprenticeship or not because it shows basic English and Mathematics skills. Applicants can distinguish themselves with additional payroll training. A Foundation Degree in Payroll Management from The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) or a Level 3 Certificate in Payroll for Business from the International Association of Bookkeepers are two excellent qualifications for candidates.

Payroll Manager salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Payroll Manager in the UK is £37,333 per year. Salaries vary according to experience, education, location and the employer’s industry.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you do not have a vacant Payroll Manager position, you may prefer reading job description samples for other related positions:

• Payroll Specialist
• Payroll Administrator