There are around 215,000 people in the U.S. working as payroll clerks. They prepare bookkeeping, taxes and administer payroll in public and private companies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this type of occupation will be having a steady growth, at least, through to the year 2016, but to become a payroll clerk, employees are required to have special training, and those who have certifications will have an advantage in the present job market.
People working in this field deal with big amounts of money, so it is important that a person in this type of work is someone who is responsible. People interested in careers in payroll must be very good in mathematics. Jobs in payroll have become complex due to regulations and the tax credit system.
You can search for payroll specialist jobs on the internet. There are many websites that have a list of all companies that have job openings in this area. There are companies that offer this kind of job to people who prefer working from home and at present, online payroll jobs have become popular. However, before you enter this type of work you must have some basic ideas about what payroll is all about.
Payroll is a process with which an employer pays the employee for work done in the service of the company. Employers do not usually perform this task on their own. Employers hire people for doing this work on their behalf. This is why jobs in payroll are created. Persons appointed to payroll accounting jobs usually have good wages. Actual designations vary depending on the company, but it is important that workers make sure to perform well in their job.
If you enter this field it is best to start from entry level positions that will help you in learning the ropes and give you some experience. You will usually enter this field working as a clerk.
If possible, work for government agencies where job safety and security are better. You can also work for big corporations where you can have a good salary. Executive payroll jobs also offer very good opportunities in this field, but you must work hard to move up the career ladder.
Online payroll jobs are great opportunities for earning money from home. A payroll administrator has an important function in a company and almost every company has to fill this position, although the designation varies. You can try to apply at financial institutions, such as banks, where these types of positions are numerous.
For jobs in payroll you need to be accustomed to handling cash and checks and, if you are looking for one, seek out employers who provide on-the-job training. Some companies have payroll assistant positions so as to give opportunity for promotion. If you want to get into payroll but do not have any formal training in this occupation, you could start by applying for any position in the payroll department of the company you are working for or planning to work for.
If it is compulsory to have formal education, then consider getting an Associate degree in accounting. Check out any local community colleges if they offer these types of courses. These programs usually take 2 years to complete, but some schools offer accelerated programs. After finishing the course, you should apply as a volunteer if needed, just for the experience. You can apply as a volunteer worker in non-profit organizations in your area.
After gaining some experience, become proficient with several kinds of computerized payroll programs or payroll software. There are a variety of payroll programs that companies use. Having knowledge about the different types of payroll programs will give you an edge when applying.
One last helpful thing you could do to improve your chances for being accepted for jobs in payroll is by getting certification from the American Payroll Association. They have two types of certification, Certified Payroll Professional and Fundamental Payroll Certification. After you have at least three years work experience, you can then apply for more advanced certifications.
You can find more jobs in payroll by visiting HRCrossing.com and sign up for a risk free trial today to find jobs that are just right for you!
