Essential skills you need!
Guest Post by Sam Halmshaw
Regardless of size, all businesses need somebody on staff to keep the payroll in order. Payroll administrators exist to keep the books in order, ensuring employees are paid the right amount at the right time.
This can be a daunting task and it’s certainly one that requires a great deal of responsibility but it’s also one that can prove immensely rewarding. If you’re looking for payroll jobs in your area, however, it might be worth going over the skills and qualities that make a good payroll professional, so you’re adequately prepared.
Trustworthiness – These are people that are going to be handling large sums on a regular basis so first and foremost, trustworthiness is a given.
Numeracy skills – You’ll be working regularly with large sums and will need to make calculations and process payments to strict deadlines. This includes taking into account bonuses, salary increases and overtime. You’ll also be tasked with calculating tax and national insurance deductions and pension contributions. So, a decent grasp of mathematics is obviously an essential skill.
Good timekeeping – Time management and timekeeping are both crucial traits in a role that demands some pretty severe deadlines.
Organisation – A good payroll professional has an organised, logical and methodical working approach. It’s an incredibly deadline-driven job by its very nature so if you are not able to prioritise your workload effectively then this might not be the job for you.
The ability to remain calm under pressure – When working in an environment where so many people’s livelihoods depend on you, it’s quite reasonable to suggest you could lapse into panic mode. That’s why the ability to keep a cool head, take a deep breath and get on with the work without descending into a pit of worry.
Flexibility – Busy periods may require longer working hours, so you’ll need to be able to remain flexible with your availability. You might also need to help other members of the team from time to time and step up to the plate for them.
A keen eye – The devil is in the details and having a keen eye for those details is something that all good payroll workers should possess. Whether you’re working with dozens of people or hundreds, every person is an individual and every case is different. You need to be able to see the trees for the wood whilst also taking in the bigger picture.
You don’t have to have a great deal of experience to be a payroll professional as long as you’re a dedicated and keen worker that can learn fast and adapt without complaint. It’s a fast-paced world that you’ll soon learn to navigate with aplomb if you’re willing to put the effort in. Otherwise, perhaps it’s time to set your sights elsewhere?
