Arguably one of the most important roles in any company, payroll professionals makes sure that employees are paid the right amount each month. No matter the size of the company, everyone needs a team of competent payroll professionals.
However, to be an excellent payroll professional, you will need to possess a certain number of skills to assist with completing daily tasks. Whilst a whole range of skills may come in handy, we’ve put together some essential skills you’ll need to succeed as a payroll professional.
Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
It goes without saying that numeracy skills are crucial if you are to be a top payroll professional. Whilst many businesses will have payroll systems in place, great numeracy skills are likely to render your work more accurate and less likely to run into compliance issues later down the line.
Good timekeeping and an ability to meet strict deadlines
Nobody on your team will thank you if they don’t get paid on time! As such, excellent time management skills and having the ability to meet tight deadlines is key. As a payroll professional, the onus is on you to manage your own workload, so good timekeeping is a must.
Ability to remain calm under pressure
There can be a lot of pressure to get things right in a payroll job, so it’s important you can remain calm under pressure. Queries from colleagues combined with constant phone calls can be tough to juggle, but by keeping a calm head you can thrive under the pressure.
Flexibility in busy periods
Whilst, on the whole, your working hours will be between 37-39 hours per week, busy periods may require you to work longer hours. Generally, the end of the month is the busiest time as that is when most people get paid, so be prepared to put in extra hours as the months draw to an end.
A keen eye for detail and accuracy
As you’ll be dealing with numbers all day every day, it’s crucial that you have a keen eye for detail and have the ability to spot any discrepancies to pick up issues early.
Good customer service skills
Payroll often has a certain degree of crossover with customer service duties. As a key player in any organization you’ll often have to interact with clients, HR personnel, and any other employees whilst remaining professional and courteous. Having excellent customer service skills will therefore allow you to prosper in payroll.
Whilst payroll jobs can be competitive, if you possess the above essential skills, you may be a great candidate. Even if you don’t have experience, many businesses will happily take on junior payroll professionals. If you’re a fast learner willing to grow, you can succeed at a career in payroll.
