- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Overseeing bonus and incentive payout and calculations
- Handling employee payroll grievances
- Meticulously maintaining sensitive and confidential information
The Payroll Executive on the Job
At work the payroll executive is where the buck stops for getting payroll procedures right. Typically, he or she manages a team of payroll managers. Those managers make sure taxes are paid, handle getting new hires onto the payrolls and address any pay errors that come up. To have the best shot at a payroll executive job, you have to have paid your dues with many years of experience in lower level payroll jobs. An education in business and law would also be advantageous.
Great Work Experience for those wanting to be Payroll Specialists
Some payroll executives start out as payroll clerks. These are the people on the front lines between employees and their paychecks. Once they've proven they can handle the day to day tasks of a payroll clerk, they may move up to payroll supervisor or manager jobs.
Payroll management experience is vital to those wishing to become payroll executives. Though managers won't be heavily involved in figuring out the details of each paycheck, he or she should have a good grounding in the kind of software and procedures used by those who do handle those day to day details.
The Importance of Networking
Another way to maximize your chances of getting a job as a payroll executive is to network with other payroll managers and workers through professional societies and community organizations such as the local chamber of commerce. If you apply for a payroll executive position that's in an industry in which you have direct experience, be sure to emphasize that on your resume and/or application, and be sure to mention it in your job interview.
How your Resume can help you
A winning resume is another asset that can help you in your search for payroll manager or executive jobs. Don't just throw one together when a job opening comes up, create a great resume and have it available for customizing for different jobs that you apply for. Here are a few tips for creating a resume that will help you when applying for payroll executive positions:
Write a personal mission statement that tells the company why they should hire you rather than someone else. It is best if your mission statement addresses improvements in the company's bottom line.
List at least two or three (but no more than five) accomplishments that resulted from your mission statement at your current or past jobs.
Name specific challenges that you have been confronted with and have overcome in your present or past positions
List accomplishments that highlight your leadership and your ability to solve problems
Avoiding Employment Scams
Even the most well educated job seekers can become victim to an online employment scam, so it is important to be on your guard with respect to your personal information and what you reveal to potential employers. Here are three red flags you should watch for when applying for jobs online.
1. If a job site claims to be Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com and says there is a problem with your newly created account, it could be a "phishing" expedition designed to get hold of your personal information or have you click on a link that will take you to a site that unleashes viruses or other malware.
2. Any job site that asks for extensive personal information like your Social Security Number or bank account numbers should raise suspicion. If you get on the site and are told that you've already been given a job despite never interviewing for one, be wary. These people could clean out your bank account or steal your identity.
3. Any employment site that asks for money up front should raise suspicion. One common ploy is asking the potential employee to pay for a security background check before being considered for a job. As soon as the applicant pays the "fee" they never hear from the site again.
To get that dream job as a payroll executive, you must have the skills, experience, and education that companies are looking for, and you must be able to showcase those skills in such a way that you convince the company that you're the best possible person for the executive position.
