1432 – Payroll administrators

Payroll administrators collect, verify and process payroll information, determine pay and benefit entitlements for employees, maintain accurate payroll records, and provide payroll information within a department, company or other establishment. They are employed by payroll administration companies and by establishments throughout the public and private sectors.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

• Account records clerk – payroll
• Assistant paymaster
• Benefits and pension plan officer
• Benefits officer – payroll administration
• Pay accounts clerk
• Pay advisor
• Pay and benefits administrator
• Pay and benefits clerk
• Pay clerk
• Pay verifier
• Payroll administrator
• Payroll clerk
• Payroll machine operator
• Payroll officer
• Salary administration officer
• Superannuation clerk – government
• Timekeeper – payroll

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Maintain and update employee information, such as records of employee attendance, leave and overtime to calculate pay and benefit entitlements, in Canadian and other currencies, using manual or computerized systems
• Prepare and verify statements of earnings for employees, indicating gross and net salaries and deductions such as taxes, union dues, garnishments and insurance and pension plans
• Prepare, verify and process all employee payroll related payments, including regular pay, benefit payments, and special payments such as bonuses and vacation pay
• Complete, verify and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, leaves, share savings, employment and medical insurance
• Prepare payroll related filings and supporting documentation, such as year-end tax statements, pension, Records of Employment and other statements
• Provide information on payroll matters, benefit plans and collective agreement provisions
• Compile, review, and monitor statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts
• Prepare and balance period-end reports and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements
• Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies
• May be responsible for the development or implementation of payroll policies, procedures or processes.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of college or other courses in accounting, bookkeeping or payroll administration or experience in payroll administration is usually required.
• Payroll association certification may be required.
• Experience using a payroll system or software may be required.

Additional information

• Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Exclusions

• Human resources and recruitment officers (1223)
• Personnel clerks (1415)
• Supervisors of payroll administrators (in 1212 Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers)
• Benefits officer – government services (in 1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers)