As a payroll administrator, you will:
You could work in an office.
You’ll get training in payroll software when you start a job but good computer skills, especially with spreadsheets, will give you an advantage when looking for work.
You can find out more about careers in payroll from The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals.
You could do a college course which will give you some of the skills you’ll need to apply for a trainee payroll position or an apprenticeship. Some of the courses that are available include:
Some courses can be studied at college or by distance learning. Speak to your chosen college to find the right level of course for you.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply for a Payroll Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
If you want to train for management, you could do a Payroll Assistant Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships are offered by commercial companies and public sector organisations, and take around 2 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
You may be able to join a payroll department as an assistant or take on payroll responsibilities while working in a related role like human resources or finance. You could then do on-the-job training through a professional body, such as:
Courses are available from introductory level to foundation degree and higher.
You could apply directly for jobs. Employers will expect you to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including maths.
While experience in payroll is not always essential to start, a background in bookkeeping or accounts could help improve your job prospects.
You'll need:
With experience, you could become a manager of a payroll or finance department in a large organisation, like a local authority or the NHS.
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