While gaining job satisfaction is important to many workers, income is important to everyone! Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are the ones who make sure employees are paid what they’re due. Timekeeping clerks distribute and collect timesheets, timecards or work charts – either as hard copies or electronically, to ensure staff hours are properly submitted. For companies that bill clients for work by the hour, these clerks help ensure accurate tracking of hours worked and commissions. Payroll clerks enter employee data, update records when employment status changes, and review timecards for errors. They make sure to calculate and withhold taxes and other deductions, such as insurance and retirement. Attention to detail and good communication skills are important for interacting with employees at every level. Clerks find work in private companies, school systems, accounting and payroll service companies, government organizations and employment services. While some clerks have a college degree, most positions require a high school diploma and include on the job training. The accuracy and dedication required to be a good timekeeping and payroll clerk is something employers greatly depend on.
What they do:
Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.
On the job, you would:
Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
Knowledge
Business
administrative services
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Skills
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Concern for Others
Independence
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Dynamics GP
NetSuite ERP
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Time accounting software
Kronos Workforce Payroll
Virtual Software Virtual Timecard
Education
high school diploma/GED or some college usually needed
Job Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.