payroll officer.

The standard tasks of payroll officers include:

• collecting and compiling the timesheets for employees: your primary task is to ensure workers receive their pay on time. You collect timesheets on time to ensure that part-time and weekly wages are paid. You also input the correct information into payroll software to calculate the correct monthly payment for full-time workers.
• calculating work hours: as a payroll officer, you collate each employee's work hours. While the work hours for full-time employees are standard, employees on hourly contracts or with irregular shifts use a timeclock to track work hours. You collect information on recorded hours to prepare accurate pay.
• calculating deductions: employees have deductions and benefits that affect their salaries in their remuneration package. During payroll processing, you calculate the deductions for workplace schemes and employee benefits like car allowances to determine the right remuneration to pay an employee.
• preparing employee remuneration: you should factor in overtime, commissions, bonuses and any incidents that warrant extra pay. Calculating accrued bonuses and overtime pay ensures employees receive the full remuneration package and all the necessary taxes are paid. You also handle the superannuation for every employee and account for annual leave and paid holidays.
• ensuring tax compliance: you remit all taxes to the Australia Tax Office (ATO) monthly under the single-touch payroll (STP) system. You ensure the government receives all the taxes and deductions related to employee pay for the tax year.
• delivering payslips: when you have the correct salary figures, you schedule electronic payments and deliver checks to ensure employees receive salaries on time. When the payment process is complete, you send payslips to employees in electronic or paper form.
• creating payroll reports: as a payroll officer, you create different reports analysing the salaries and taxes paid. The reports are usually a requirement by the ATO and for internal bookkeeping functions and are needed in the event of pay disputes.

You work in various industries as a hired in-house resource or an external payroll provider as a payroll officer.  Regardless of the business sector, you will likely  work in the human resources or accounting departments. Most payroll officers work in office environments and accomplish their tasks from a computer. There is minimal travelling unless a client requests a meeting at their premises. Since technology is used to process payroll, you can work from a remote location or work from home  to complete all the tasks.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include payroll clerks, payroll specialists, financial accountants, hr administrators and hr managers. You might also be working close to human resource officers, and other specialists that could consist of, but are not limited to, accounts payable officers, finance assistants, accountants and office managers.

A payroll officer can work either full-time hours of 9 am to 5 pm or part-time hours. Payroll officers rarely work overtime, but sometimes, they work evenings to meet deadlines and ensure the payroll is processed on time. Some payroll officers work on short-term contracts or are freelancers, allowing them to set their preferred work hours.

Payroll officers are highly sought after in Australia. The introduction of single-touch payroll (STP) requires qualified payroll officers with in-depth knowledge of employee remuneration packages. As a payroll officer, it is important to upskill to remain competitive. Improving your qualifications also prepares you for alternative career pathways like becoming a human resource officer, office administrator or compliance officer.

Finding your payroll officer job through Randstad provides essential benefits  such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a payroll officer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As a payroll officer, you use single-touch payroll systems to process employees' salaries in your company. You collate the timesheets and attendance to calculate the hours worked and corresponding pay. You also complete tax calculations and deductions and remit them to the ATO. Sometimes, you prepare monthly and annual financial statements on payroll functions.

The median remuneration package for payroll officers in Australia is $75,000 annually. The salary fluctuates depending on the experience levels and skills. Senior payroll officers earn over $80,000 per year. You also receive multiple benefits and allowances for working in the role.

A payroll officer requires exceptional technical and numeracy proficiency to calculate employees' work hours and corresponding salaries. You need excellent problem-solving and detail-oriented skills to prepare payroll. Your attentiveness to details also helps you avoid errors and disputes.

Applying for a payroll officer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our payroll officer job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.