To help you start on your payroll officer CV, we’ll take you through the key skills, qualifications, work experience, salary, and responsibilities of a payroll officer. You’ll also discover plenty of professional CV templates and examples for you to utilise – you’ll have the perfect CV before you know it!

Whether you’re looking for a payroll officer salary or the job description for a payroll clerk in the UK, you’ll find everything you need to create a successful CV right here. Explore an extensive library of CV examples that will help to show you what has worked in the past.

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    Sample payroll clerk CV

    Payroll officer CV Sample

    Kevin Knight

    99 Cunnery Rd
    Manchester M3 7GJ
    (555)555-5555
    kevin.knight@example.com

    Professional summary

    Experienced Payroll Officer with a proven track record of managing payroll functions and ensuring compliance with regulations. Skilled in processing payroll, resolving discrepancies, and providing excellent customer service. Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

    Work history

    January 2022 – Current

    ABC Company – Manchester
    Payroll Officer

    • Processed payroll for a large workforce of over 500 employees on a monthly basis.
    • Managed all aspects of payroll administration, including calculating wages, deductions, and overtime.
    • Resolved payroll discrepancies and answered employee inquiries regarding pay and benefits.
    • Prepared and submitted payroll reports to management for review and approval.

    February 2018 – December 2021

    XYZ Corporation – Manchester
    Payroll Administrator

    • Assisted in processing payroll for a medium-sized company with 200 employees.
    • Maintained accurate payroll records and updated employee information as needed.
    • Collaborated with HR department to ensure accurate and timely processing of new hires and terminations.
    • Prepared payroll reports and reconciled payroll data to ensure accuracy and compliance.

    Skills

    Payroll Processing
    Data Analysis
    Attention to Detail
    Customer Service
    Time Management
    Problem-Solving
    Microsoft Excel
    HRIS Systems
    End-to-end payroll processing
    Expert in Excel

    Education

    2017
    University of London London
    Bachelor of Science Accounting

    2015
    London College London
    Associate’s Degree Business Administration

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    Payroll clerk CV template

    Creating an impressive CV for a payroll clerk position might seem challenging. But with our helpful online resources, you can craft a CV that perfectly matches the requirements of the job you’re applying for. That starts with ready-made CV templates, with something for every payroll clerk role.

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    What format is right on a payroll clerk CV?

    To create an effective CV for a payroll clerk job role, nailing the format is crucial right from the start. Your CV format should present all relevant information clearly and be easy to read. Kickstart the process by selecting a well-established CV format from our list. These formats serve as skeletons that you can customise to align perfectly with the requirements of the job you’re targeting.

    While there are various styles to choose from, two stand out for payroll clerks – the reverse-chronological CV and the skill-based CV. The reverse-chronological format traces your work history backward from your current or most recent position, providing a comprehensive overview of your experience. On the other hand, the skill-based CV is ideal for those with limited hands-on experience, emphasising transferable skills.

    Deciding between the two depends on your level of experience. If you happen to have an extensive work history, you should go for the reverse-chronological CV. If you’re new to the field or the workforce in general, the skills-based CV is your best bet. It’s all about selecting the CV format that is best suited to the stage of your career you are currently at.

    Consider these key points when selecting a format for your Payroll Clerk CV:

    • Tailor your CV to match the specific job advertisement.
    • Send your CV as a PDF or Word document.
    • Keep your CV concise, ideally one or two pages.
    • Go for a professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
    • Break up lengthy text with clear headings, sections, and bullet points to enhance readability.
    Choose your format now

    How to write a CV for a payroll clerk

    Now that you’ve settled on the perfect format for your document, let’s dive into the details. The content of your payroll clerk CV revolves around identifying impactful prior experiences and skills that will capture the attention of your potential employer.

    In the upcoming sections, we’ll guide you through the process of how to write a CV. We’ll address frequently asked questions and provide valuable insights on the essential information you should include.

    Keep reading for:

    How to add contact details to your payroll clerk CV

    Imagine you are an employer searching for a payroll clerk. You find a CV that’s perfect – it has all of the right experience, skills, and educational history. But when you go to contact this candidate, you realise that they have not added any of their contact information. This is a common occurrence, and something you should avoid!

    Adding a clear set of contact details ensures that potential employers can easily reach out to you. Typically, you should place this information at the top of your CV using a bold font. Here are the key details to include:

    • Your full name (exclude the middle name).
    • Location – mention where you are based.
    • Phone number – having a mobile number makes you more accessible.
    • Email address – make sure to use a professional email address.

    Example of contact section for a payroll clerk CV

    Mandy Rice
    219 Heatheringon Close, Edinburgh, EH39HA
    07912345678
    Mandy.rice@example-example.co.uk

    Start your payroll clerk CV with a personal statement

    When you’re writing a CV for a payroll officer job, you need to keep potential recruiters at the forefront of your mind. Making sure your personal statement shows off the key achievements, skills, and goals of your career is sure to get you that dream interview!

    Before you write your personal statement, make sure you’ve read the payroll officer position description. Keep your personal statement to 3-4 sentences, focusing on only the most relevant details to prove you can meet the payroll clerk job requirements.

    Here’s a quick and easy formula for you to follow. In your opening sentence, make a captivating introduction to engage your potential employer. The second sentence should provide a glimpse into your achievements, supported by a real example. It’s a good idea to use a real-world fact or figure here – like “improved payroll efficiency by 20%” as this will add a sense of authority to the statement.

    You should then use the following two sentences to spotlight any special skills you possess. Let’s say you have experience with excel spreadsheets or are adept at data analysis – these are all important skills for you to add!

    Here are additional tips for your personal statement:

    • Keep it concise, aiming for around 100 words in total.
    • Maintain a tone that is both friendly and formal.
    • Tailor your personal statement to align with the specific job advertisement.
    • Write in the third person for a more professional touch.
    • Exclude any mention of future career goals – this information can be added later in your CV or in your cover letter.

    Example of personal statement for payroll clerk CV

    Meticulous Payroll Officer of 7 years, with a diligent approach to all elements of payroll management. Improving efficiency through impeccable handling and reconciliation processes. Passion for business trend analysis optimising financial company position.

    OR

    Experience payroll clerk with 3 years assisting wider teams to optimise payroll management systems. Resolved up to 40 payroll queries daily, exceeding team average by 33%. Particular skills in end-to-end payroll processing, manual calculations, and Excel.

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    Payroll clerk CV work experience

    Another part of your CV not to be missed is the work experience segment. Providing a comprehensive overview of your work experience will give your employer the essential information they need to decide if you are the right candidate for the position.

    To craft an effective work experience section, tailor it to suit the position you’re applying for. Begin with your current or most recent role and work backward, highlighting up to six key responsibilities for each position. Always make sure to include:

    • Job title
    • Employment start and end dates
    • Company name
    • Company location
    • List of key tasks
    • Relevant work achievements

    Integrate real-life examples of your success to add weight to your work experience. Instead of generic statements like “optimised systems”, provide specific achievements like “optimised end-of-month payroll systems, increasing efficiency by up to 40%”. This is no different than in your personal statement – numbers are always a great way to back up your achievements!

    Throughout your CV – but especially in this section – you should avoid repetition in your writing. Maintain focused and direct language to create a strong first impression. Each point you mention should act as a building block, contributing to a compelling overall picture of yourself.

    Keep the reader engaged throughout by using action verbs and positive adjectives. Replace generic terms like “responsible for” with dynamic action verbs. Describe yourself with engaging words such as “methodical” or “punctual” to bring your achievements to life.

    Example of work experience for a payroll clerk CV

    Payroll Officer
    09/2023 – Current
    Craigmount high School – Edinburgh

    • Managed payroll input, processes, submissions and audit for timely payment of 85 employees.
    • Identified, investigated and resolved discrepancies.
    • Managed expansive payroll files on new starters, leavers, holiday and statutory payments.

    Payroll Assistant
    12/2020 – 09/2023
    The City of Edinburgh Council – Edinburgh

    • Processed statutory payments and deductions, including SMP, SSP, and PAYE with 100% accuracy.
    • Guaranteed employee confidentiality, ensuring compliance with GDPR principles across all tasks.
    • Handled and resolved up to 40 payroll queries daily, exceeding team average by 33%.

    Top skills for your payroll clerk CV

    There are many skills that are required to succeed in the role of a payroll officer.

    You should aim to add up to 12 skills to your CV in total, split between hard and soft skills. What is the difference between the two? In short, hard skills can be thought of as practical abilities acquired through hands-on experience or education. Examples include proficiency in Excel or a strong background in mathematics. On the other hand, soft skills are character traits that contribute to the overall image of you as a candidate, such as teamwork or punctuality.

    A well-rounded candidate typically showcases a mix of these skills, striking a balance between hard and soft skills. Hard skills demonstrate your technical capabilities to perform the job tasks, while soft skills highlight you as a dependable candidate that employers would value having on their team.

    Aim to include around 12 skills, ensuring a harmonious blend of both types to an extensive picture of you as a candidate. Here are some of the most important skills to include in your payroll clerk CV:

    Required technical skills for a payroll officer CV

    • Payroll processing
    • Numeracy
    • IT proficiency
    • Communication skills
    • Knowledge of tax regulations
    • Experienced in PAYE procedures

    Additional transferable skills to impress employers

    • Ability to multitask
    • Attention-to-detail
    • Problem solving
    • Team player
    • Time management
    • Organisational skills

    Outlining education on a payroll clerk CV

    You should think of your education section as the backbone of your CV – a chance to show the employer that you are well-rounded. You will want to explore your academic journey, including university, college, and professional training courses that you have completed.

    You should always aim to select qualifications that are noteworthy for the role of payroll clerk. For example, you’ll want to exclude incomplete courses, bad grades, or courses that are irrelevant for the job role. Let’s say you have a fine art qualification – this might not be relevant for the role of a payroll clerk.

    Certain prerequisites could be important for this job role. As a payroll clerk, you’ll likely need some background in mathematics, or business studies. Entry-level positions often require prior experience – and you can think of your education as a way to plug this hole if you are lacking.

    Here are some of the most important details to include when writing the education section of your CV:

    • Name of the educational institution
    • Start and end dates of your academic course
    • Official title of your field of study
    • Qualification level you attained
    • Qualification outcome or result

    Example of education for a payroll clerk CV

    Manchester University
    Sept 2020 – July 2023
    Applied Mathematics (BSC)

    Higher National Certificate: Business Management
    2018 – 2020
    West Lothian College

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    Your payroll clerk CV questions answered

    What is a payroll officer?

    The definition of a payroll officer is someone who prepares and processes all aspects of employee payroll at a business or other organisation. A payroll officer job description in the UK will include providing timely and accurate payments to staff members, confirming employee work hours and pay, calculating employee take-home pay, and discussing any queries from staff.

    You should be aware that payroll officer roles and responsibilities will vary depending on the experience level required. The job description of a senior payroll clerk is also likely to feature supervising and managerial tasks as part of the role.

    What skills do you need to work in payroll?

    To meet the duties of a payroll clerk, there are some key skills you’ll need under your belt. These will include technical skills, such as an in-depth understanding of payroll processing, strong mathematical skills, as well as clear communication skills. You’ll also need to have strong attention-to-detail and problem solving skills.

    How to become a payroll officer?

    There are many ways to embark on a career as a payroll clerk. Firstly, there are no set qualifications for a payroll clerk, but generally, you will at least require several GCSEs, including maths. However, if you would like to make your CV stand out, a Level 1 or 2 certificate in payroll administration or bookkeeping can be very beneficial to meeting the job description of a payroll officer.

    Though employers will be looking for candidates with work experience as a payroll clerk, it isn’t mandatory. There are many transferable skills from other job roles that would be valuable for payroll clerk duties, including finances, accounting and administration. However, this will vary depending on the complexity of the position – for example, a senior payroll clerk job description will require more experience.

    What is the average payroll clerk salary in the UK?

    The average pay for a payroll clerk is approximately £25,000 per year. However, this will vary depending on the position and your level of experience. A senior payroll clerk salary in the UK can reach up to £28,000 per year, whilst beginner payroll clerk wages bring in around £20,000.

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    Build a payroll officer CV that pays off

    Now you have a clear overview of the payroll clerk job description and salary, as well as the key skills, qualifications, and work experience required, the next step is to create your CV. Choose from our extensive list of CV templates and CV examples to get the perfect head start for you.

    If you want to make sure every box is ticked, why not try our quick and easy online CV builder? With stylish and professional CV templates and a selection of content tailored to different job roles, all you’ll need to do is assemble your CV and add a few finishing touches.

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