5 Amazing payroll accountant Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

You enjoy working as a payroll accountant, and you feel ready to advance your extensive career. You have experience resolving payroll issues, calculating net salaries, preparing employee salary statements, and organizing payroll files. No matter your experience or professional skills, employers still need a viable payroll accountant resume before they contact you for an interview. When recruiters look over submissions, they only scan them for a moment. With a glance, they must see that you possess the skills, professional experience, and past accomplishments that show that you could be a great fit for their open position and company culture. Use every section of your resume, even the overall layout, to show that you have everything it takes to become an asset. Payroll accountants getting their careers off the ground and those with as much experience as you all hit a wall when crafting a resume. To help guide you, we feature a professional resume example, template, and resume-writing tips. Use our resources to strengthen your next resume draft.

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payroll accountant: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Chief Payroll Accountant, PwC New York, New York

July 2015 – Present

Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws
Assist with budgeting and forecasting of payroll expenses
Respond to employee inquiries

Payroll Accountant, McGladrey Minneapolis, Minnesota

December 2014 – June 2015

Develop and implement payroll policies and procedures
Analyze payroll data and trends
Manage employee deductions

Entry Level Payroll Accountant, McGladrey Minneapolis, Minnesota

December 2013 – December 2014

Analyze payroll data and trends
Respond to employee inquiries
Reconcile payroll accounts

Education

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting), November, 2013

Skills

Creativity

Mentoring

Financial Management

Adaptability

Bank Reconciliation

Financial Statements

Financial Analysis

Microsoft Excel

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Professional Summary

Highly organized and detail-oriented Payroll Accountant with extensive experience in accounting and auditing. Skilled in developing and maintaining accurate payroll records and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Employment history

Lead Payroll Accountant, PwC New York, New York

November 2014 – Present

Process payroll for employees
Prepare and submit payroll tax returns
Manage employee deductions

Associate Payroll Accountant, PwC New York, New York

May 2013 – October 2014

Reconcile payroll accounts
Analyze payroll data and trends
Process payroll for employees

Junior Payroll Accountant, McGladrey Minneapolis, Minnesota

May 2012 – May 2013

Analyze payroll data and trends
Maintain payroll records
Manage payroll system upgrades and updates

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Certified Management Accountant (CMA), April, 2012

Skills

Database Management

Documentation

Data Analysis

Troubleshooting

Payroll Processing

Tax Preparation

Auditing

Financial Analysis

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Employment history

Chief Payroll Accountant, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

May 2023 – Present

Generate payroll journal entries
Manage payroll system upgrades and updates
Assist with the preparation of financial statements

Associate Payroll Accountant, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

December 2021 – April 2023

Analyze payroll data and trends
Develop and implement payroll policies and procedures
Maintain payroll records

Entry Level Payroll Accountant, PwC New York, New York

May 2021 – November 2021

Maintain payroll records
Prepare and distribute payroll reports
Develop and implement payroll policies and procedures

Education

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Doctor of Philosophy in International Business (Accounting), April, 2021

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, April, 2017

Skills

Training

Customer Service

Professionalism

Strategic Thinking

Inventory Management

Payroll Tax

Bookkeeping

QuickBooks

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Professional Summary

A highly organized and detail-oriented Payroll Accountant with extensive experience in the Accounting & Auditing field. Skilled in payroll processing, tax compliance, and financial reporting.

Employment history

Lead Payroll Accountant, Plante Moran Southfield, Michigan

August 2010 – Present

Reconcile payroll accounts
Generate payroll journal entries
Assist with the preparation of financial statements

Associate Payroll Accountant, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

February 2009 – July 2010

Assist with budgeting and forecasting of payroll expenses
Prepare and submit payroll tax returns
Generate payroll journal entries

Entry Level Payroll Accountant, KPMG New York, New York

February 2008 – January 2009

Generate payroll journal entries
Analyze payroll data and trends
Prepare and distribute payroll reports

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Certified Management Accountant (CMA), January, 2008

Skills

Risk Management

Technical

Organization

Reporting

Financial Analysis

Accounts Payable

Financial Forecasting

Tax Preparation

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Professional Summary

Experienced Payroll Accountant with a track record of success in the Accounting & Auditing field. Expertise in payroll processing, tax filing, and financial reporting.

Employment history

Senior Payroll Accountant, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

September 2010 – Present

Respond to employee inquiries
Manage payroll system upgrades and updates
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws

Associate Payroll Accountant, KPMG New York, New York

March 2010 – August 2010

Maintain payroll records
Manage payroll system upgrades and updates
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws

Junior Payroll Accountant, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

March 2009 – February 2010

Analyze payroll data and trends
Respond to employee inquiries
Assist with the preparation of financial statements

Education

Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics (Accounting), January, 2009

Skills

Collaboration

Social Media

Project Management

Training

Budgeting

Accounts Receivable

Microsoft Excel

Auditing

Use This payroll accountant Resume Template

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payroll accountant Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an payroll accountant position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

payroll accountant

Supervised the day to day administration, maintenance, reporting and operations of the Payroll department to ensure employees are paid timely.
Trained subordinates in all aspects of computerized payroll system.
Reviewed and approved payroll journal entries and account reconciliation process.
Provided monthly accruals of all employee related payments and benefits and analyzed fluctuation of labor cost per cost center.
Checked and verified payments due / accountabilities of separated employees and reimbursement claims of employees.
Reviewed all payroll related entries and expense reimbursement payments into the system.
Responded and resolved complex payroll issues related to withholding taxes.

payroll accountant

Updating the taps communication to TA master.
Downloading of attendance register from the TA master.
Auto process attendance register of each department.
Posting of new employees into the pay master general system.
Prepare overtime payments for all department.
Prepare monthly airtime benefits and make payments upon approval.
Submission of withholding VAT via online.

payroll accountant

Serve as a liaison between treasury, accounting and HR departments to ensure proper redecoration of payroll related transactions
Periodic review of liability accounts to ensure adequate accrual levels, and book monthly adjusting journal entries into accounting system
Prepare payroll balance sheets account reconciliations research, and resolve reconciling items
Validated tax payments and returns including annual reconciliation.

payroll accountant

Ensured employees’ pay, due to government agencies, banks were timely processed.
Established closed coordination between HR on personnel files, bank representatives, auditors, government agencies, ensuring conformity with all regulatory bodies.
Prepare mid monthly advance upon approval and make payments as per staff request.
Prepare fringe benefit of all employees benefiting from the company.

payroll accountant

Prepare schedules and process payroll twice a month.
Ensure that the calculation of earnings and deductions are accurate and completed in a timely manner.
Process payroll information associated with newly hired employees, terminated employees, wage verification, withholding allowances, pay rate changes, status changes, benefit deductions, and other payroll data updates/adjustments.
Respond to payroll inquiries and requests from employees.
Responsible for Year-End accurate and timely reporting of Taxes relating to payroll.
Review, verify and ensure proper accounting and accuracy for all payroll transactions, benefits, and accruals.
Records necessary adjustments relating to payroll transactions in the book using Oracle.

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payroll accountant Job Skills

For an payroll accountant position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

Payroll Processing
Tax Preparation
Accounting Software
Budgeting
Financial Statements
QuickBooks
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Auditing
Inventory Management
Cash Flow Management
Financial Analysis
Data Entry
Microsoft Excel
Bank Reconciliation
Financial Forecasting
Bookkeeping
Reconciliation
Payroll Tax
General Ledger.

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your payroll accountant Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Senior Payroll Accountant, KPMG New York, New York

October 2019 – Present

Manage payroll system upgrades and updates
Prepare and submit payroll tax returns
Manage employee deductions

Associate Payroll Accountant, Grant Thornton Chicago, Illinois

October 2018 – September 2019

Manage payroll system upgrades and updates
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws
Analyze payroll data and trends

Entry Level Payroll Accountant, KPMG New York, New York

October 2017 – September 2018

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in International Business (Accounting), August, 2017

Skills

Organization

Training

Emotional Intelligence

Adaptability

Cash Flow Management

Payroll Processing

Inventory Management

Data Entry

Include your Contact Information and Job Descriptions

Missing job descriptions lessens your chances of getting hired.

Key Insights

Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to include descriptions for all of your previous jobs.
Keep job descriptions short but don't just list your jobs.
Never copy-paste a job description to post on your resume. Get inspired and use tools to help you write customized descriptions.

How to Optimize Your payroll accountant Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Senior Payroll Accountant, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

March 2017 – May 2022

Assist with the preperation of financail statments.
Performe audit's of payroll record's.
Proccess payrol for employess.

Associate Payroll Accountant, BDO USA Chicago, Illinois

September 2015 – February 2017

Ensure complience with local, state, and federal law's.
Assist with the preperation of finacial statments.
Respond too employee inquirys.

Entry Level Payroll Accountant, Plante Moran Southfield, Michigan

April 2014 – August 2015

Maintane payroll record's.
Develp annd implemment payyroll poilicies annd proceddures.
Proccess payrol for employess

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics (Accounting), February, 2014

Skills

Flexibility

Quality Assurance

Time Management

Adaptability

Microsoft Excel

Accounts Receivable

Data Entry

Payroll Processing

Correct Grammar and Address Gap Years in Your Resume

Don't leave unexplained gaps in your work history.

Key Insights

When explaining gaps in your employment section, start by being honest.
Elaborate on the gap and show that you never stopped learning.
Explain and elaborate any gap in your work history by highlighting new skills.

payroll accountant Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an payroll accountant position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Chief Payroll Accountant
Crowe Horwath
Indianapolis, Indiana

To the Hiring Team at Crowe Horwath

I am excited to apply for the Chief Payroll Accountant role at Crowe Horwath. As a highly skilled Payroll Accountant, I am confident that I have the necessary experience and abilities to make a valuable contribution to your organization.

As someone who has always been curious and eager to learn, I have pursued my education and gained experience in areas like Financial Reporting to develop my skills in my work. This experience has given me the opportunity to lead major projects and provide my input in diverse areas, which have helped me gain a deeper understanding of the industry. I am excited to bring my passion and expertise to the role at this company and work towards achieving your organization's goals.

I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the Chief Payroll Accountant position. I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to your organization and that together there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. I will be waiting, hopeful for what the future will bring.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Xavier Patterson
608-557-0729
xavierpatterson@zoho.com

Xavier Patterson

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