Career Advice for an HR and Payroll Administrator

When you work as an HR and Payroll Administrator, you will be part of the Human Resources team, handling all tasks related to pay and compensation.

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How to Become an HR and Payroll Administrator

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an HR and Payroll Administrator

Should you wish to work as an HR and Payroll Administrator you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an HR and Payroll Administrator

  • Level 1 Certificate in Payroll.
  • Foundation Certificate in Bookkeeping.
  • Level 1 or 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping.
  • T Level in Accounting.
  • A Qualification from The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals.
  • Four GCSEs.

Key Responsibilities for an HR and Payroll Administrator

  • Calculating the hours worked by employees.
  • Using the payroll and banking system to arrange payment of wages.
  • Deducting National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and tax.
  • Calculating shift payments, overtime, and pay raises.
  • Recording annual leave, sickness, maternity, and paternity.
  • Answering the questions of staff regarding payslips and timesheets.

What to expect as an HR and Payroll Administrator

When you become an HR and Payroll Administrator, you might work in an office or remotely. You will need excellent numeracy and English skills, attention to detail, and an ability to stay calm in stressful situations.

Recommended HR and Payroll Administrator Jobs

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How to get HR and Payroll Administrator Jobs

Our advice on how to get an HR and Payroll Administrator job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an HR and Payroll Administrator application. If you have not held an HR and Payroll Administrator position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an HR and Payroll Administrator role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your HR and Payroll Administrator CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each HR and Payroll Administrator application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an HR and Payroll Administrator in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an HR and Payroll Administrator 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an HR and Payroll Administrator and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical HR and Payroll Administrator experience.

How to get HR and Payroll Administrator Experience

What does it take to be an HR and Payroll Administrator? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for HR and Payroll Administrator jobs. You can learn how to be a successful HR and Payroll Administrator through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an HR and Payroll Administrator Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into HR and Payroll Administrator part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time HR and Payroll Administrator or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

HR and Payroll Administrator freelance work

If you have impressive HR and Payroll Administrator qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.