Payroll Coordinator Job Description
What does a payroll coordinator do? Payroll coordinators oversee the work of payroll clerks and timekeepers, verify employees' time worked, process payroll checks, and correct any discrepancies. Training new clerks on payroll systems is another job duty. They are responsible for multiple payroll accounts and serve as liaisons between payroll and other departments within an organization. There are many employment opportunities available for payroll coordinators, including jobs at corporations, banks, medical offices, and government entities. Most workers find full-time work and need to put in overtime.
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Payroll Coordinator Career Requirements
| Degree Level | High school diploma is standard, though many employers prefer those with an associate's degree |
| Degree Field | Accounting or related field |
| Experience | Two or more years of payroll processing or human resources experience |
| Certification | Voluntary payroll certification is available |
| Key Skills | Interpersonal communication, time management, organizational, problem solving, critical thinking, and mathematics skills; knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, accounting, timekeeping, and human resources software; experience with Kronos or PeopleSoft payroll systems; working knowledge of a 10-key calculator; firm grasp of federal, state and local laws, garnishments, taxes, and workers compensation issues |
| Median Salary (2022)* | $49,978 |
Sources: Job postings by employers (March 2021), American Payroll Association, O*NET OnLine, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, *PayScale.com.
Steps to Be a Payroll Coordinator
Step 1: Attain an Education
An entry-level position in a payroll department requires a high school diploma. Classes in mathematics and computers will help teach the skills necessary for working in payroll. While not all employers require a payroll coordinator to have a degree, some employers seek candidates with an associate's degree in accounting, bookkeeping, or business.
Step 2: Gain Experience
Payroll coordinators, who are also known as payroll supervisors or payroll administrators, have two or more years of payroll experience. Payroll coordinators may learn many of their skills on the job, most likely starting with an entry-level position as a payroll assistant or practitioner. In some cases, payroll coordinators work as payroll systems coordinators, acting as departmental liaisons for all those involved in processing payroll, which includes the data and information technology departments.
Getting a Payroll Coordinator Job
To land one of the payroll coordinator jobs, you'll first need to have your resume stand out to get noticed by employers. You'll have to tailor your general resume to a payroll coordinator resume. You'll need to list your qualifications that are relevant to the payroll coordinator qualifications, including training, education, skills and experience. The payroll coordinator interview questions will be like many other basic interview questions and some may be specific to the payroll coordinator duties. Expect employers to ask why you're a good fit for the job, how your background relates to the job, and job specific questions like how you would handle a certain task.
Step 3: Consider Certification for Career Advancement
The American Payroll Association offers two voluntary certifications for individuals working as payroll coordinators. The Fundamental Payroll Certification is for entry-level payroll workers, while the Certified Payroll Professional designation is designed for individuals with at least three years of payroll experience. Each credential requires candidates to pass an examination to verify understanding and knowledge of the occupation. An examination is also required for the annual certification renewal.
Now you know the payroll coordinator job description, resume requirements and duties involved with the job. To recap, payroll coordinators need a couple of years' experience processing payroll as well as a minimum of a high school diploma, though employers might prefer candidates with an associate's degree in accounting, business, or bookkeeping. The job outlook for this career field is set at a 13% decline rate. Salary for payroll coordinator positions is decent considering formal education isn't always a requirement. Payroll coordinator salary usually averages around $49,978.
