Payroll and timekeeping clerks perform a vital function: ensuring that employees are paid on time and that their paychecks are accurate. If inaccuracies arise, such as monetary errors or incorrect amounts of vacation time, these workers research and correct the records. In addition, they may perform various other clerical tasks. Automated timekeeping systems that allow employees to enter the number of hours they have worked directly into a computer have eliminated much of the data entry and review by timekeepers and have elevated the job of payroll clerk. In offices that have not automated this function, however, payroll and timekeeping clerks still perform many of the functions listed next.
The fundamental task of timekeeping clerks is distributing and collecting timecards each pay period. These workers review employee work charts, timesheets, and timecards to ensure that information is properly recorded and that records have the signatures of authorizing officials. In companies that bill for the time spent by staff, such as law or accounting firms, timekeeping clerks make sure that the hours recorded are charged to the correct job so that clients can be properly billed. These clerks also review computer reports listing timecards that cannot be processed because of errors, and they contact the employee or the employee’s supervisor to resolve the problem. In addition, timekeeping clerks are responsible for informing managers and other employees about procedural changes in payroll policies.
Payroll clerks, also called payroll technicians, screen timecards for calculating, coding, or other errors. They compute pay by subtracting allotments, including Federal and State taxes and contributions to retirement, insurance, and savings plans, from gross earnings. Increasingly, computers are performing these calculations and alerting payroll clerks to problems or errors in the data. In small organizations or for new employees whose records are not yet entered into a computer system, clerks may perform the necessary calculations manually. In some small offices, clerks or other employees in the accounting department process payroll.
Payroll clerks record changes in employees’ addresses; close out files when workers retire, resign, or transfer; and advise employees on income tax withholding and other mandatory deductions. They also issue and record adjustments to workers’ pay because of previous errors or retroactive increases. Payroll clerks need to follow changes in tax and deduction laws, so they are aware of the most recent revisions. Finally, they prepare and mail earnings and tax-withholding statements for employees’ use in preparing income tax returns.
In small offices, payroll and timekeeping duties are likely to be included in the duties of a general office clerk, a secretary, or an accounting clerk. However, large organizations employ specialized payroll and timekeeping clerks to perform these functions. In offices that have automated timekeeping systems, payroll clerks perform more analysis of the data, examine trends, and work with computer systems. They also spend more time answering employees’ questions and processing unique data.
Employment of payroll and timekeeping clerks is expected to grow more slowly than the average through 2012, due mainly to automation and increased outsourcing. Both of these trends allow payroll workers to handle more payroll recordkeeping functions with fewer people. Nevertheless, a number of job openings will arise in coming years as payroll and timekeeping clerks leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations. Those with payroll certifications indicating that they can handle more complex payroll issues will have an advantage in the job market.
As entering payroll and timekeeping information becomes more simplified, the job itself is becoming more complex, with companies now offering a greater variety of pension, 401(k), and other investment plans to their employees. Also, the growing use of garnishment of wages for child support is adding to the complexity. These transactions must be recorded and kept track of, requiring payroll clerks to implement changes. In contrast to this trend, the other one is that computers are doing much of the recordkeeping, allowing payroll clerks to handle more records. Also, the greater complexity of the job, coupled with the automation of records that is simplifying data entry, is resulting in payroll professionals, not clerks, doing more of the work.
Another factor leading to the slow growth in employment of payroll clerks is that companies are increasingly outsourcing the function of producing payroll to firms that specialize in the task. Many of these companies are data-processing facilities, but accounting firms also are taking on the payroll function to supplement their accounting work. This growing specialization of the payroll function should lead to more productive payroll clerks.
Computerization is still the number one factor that is slowing the demand for payroll and timekeeping clerks. For example, automated timeclocks, which calculate employee hours, allow large organizations to centralize their timekeeping duties in one location. At individual sites, employee hours are increasingly tracked by computer and verified by managers. This information is then compiled and sent to a central office to be processed by payroll clerks, eliminating the need to have these clerks at every site. In addition, the growing use of direct deposit eliminates the need to draft paychecks, because these funds are automatically transferred each pay period. Also, a growing number of organizations are allowing employees to update their payroll records automatically. Furthermore, in smaller organizations, payroll and timekeeping duties are increasingly being distributed to secretaries, general office clerks, or accounting clerks.
Information on employment opportunities for payroll and timekeeping clerks is available from local offices of the State employment service.
(See the introductory statement on financial clerks for information on working conditions, training requirements, and earnings.)
They update and maintain one or more accounting records, including those which tabulate expenditures, receipts, accounts payable and receivable, and profit and loss. They have a wide range of skills and knowledge from full-charge bookkeepers who can maintain an entire company’s books to accounting clerks who handle specific accounts. All of these clerks make numerous computations each day and increasingly must be comfortable using computers to calculate and record data. In small establishments, bookkeeping clerks handle all financial transactions and recordkeeping. Bookkeepers also prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to the bank.
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Serv - Business Services",206);addToList(list,"Prof. Serv - Superannuation",210);addToList(list,"Prof. $50K payroll clerk, reporting to Payroll Manager. Long Assignment until January 06. PT Accounts Clerk required by Port Melb.
Summary of: http://mycareer.com.au/jobseeker/search/results.aspx?s=111&q=Payroll+Clerk&c=1
If inaccuracies arise, such as monetary errors or incorrect amounts of vacation time, these workers research and correct the records. In addition, they may also perform various other clerical tasks. The fundamental task of timekeeping clerks is distributing and collecting timecards each pay period. In companies that bill for the time spent by staff, such as law or accounting firms, timekeeping clerks make sure the hours recorded are charged to the correct job, so clients can be properly billed. In addition, timekeeping clerks are responsible for informing managers and other employees of procedural changes in payroll policies.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/311.htm
They adjust monetary errors or incorrect amounts of vacation time, research these records, and perform other clerical tasks. Timekeeping clerks distribute and collect timecards each pay period. These workers review employee workcharts, timesheets, and timecards to ensure that information is properly recorded, and that the records have the signatures of authorizing officials. They review computer reports listing timecards that cannot be processed because of errors and contact the employee or the employee's supervisor to resolve the problem. Timekeeping clerks also keep informed of new payroll policies and inform managers and other employees of procedural changes.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/134.htm
If inaccuracies arise, such as monetary errors or incorrect amounts of vacation time, these workers research and correct the records. These clerks also review computer reports listing timecards that cannot be processed because of errors, and they contact the employee or the employee’s supervisor to resolve the problem. Increasingly, computers are performing these calculations and alerting payroll clerks to problems or errors in the data. However, large organizations employ specialized payroll and timekeeping clerks to perform these functions. In offices that have automated timekeeping systems, payroll clerks perform more analysis of the data, examine trends, and work with computer systems.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos149.htm
This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/43-3051.00
Maintaining and updating records, ranging from payrolls to information on the shipment of goods to bank statements, is the job of record clerks. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks maintain financial data in computer and paper files. Increased computerization has changed the duties of most record clerks. Now, many workers use financial software to enter and manipulate data. Most work alongside the organization's other clerical workers, but some work in centralized units away from the organization's front office.
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Their goal is to make sure that employees working at an organization are paid the right amount of money at the right time. But even so, timekeeping and payroll clerks are still needed to make sure that accounts are credited correctly. Learn more with an informational interview with a local employer. Some employers require a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree in accounting, especially if they have only one person working in this position. Taking high school courses in these subjects is recommended.
Summary of: http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/career_prospects/briefs/P-S/PayrollClerks.shtml
They review employee work charts or timecards to be sure they are complete. It is becoming more common for payroll clerks to use computer software to calculate payroll. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. High schools, business schools, and community colleges all offer business education programs.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100150
While most financial clerks work in offices, maintaining and processing various accounting records, some deal directly with customers, taking in and paying out money. Depending on their specific titles, these workers perform a wide variety of financial recordkeeping duties. Payroll and timekeeping clerks compute wages for payroll records and review employee timecards. Computers also enable clerks to access data within files more quickly and even generate statements automatically. Because the majority of financial clerks use computers on a daily basis, these workers may experience eye and muscle strain, backaches, headaches, and repetitive motion injuries.
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