Payroll Manager Resume Examples & Tips
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Payroll managers are responsible for handling employee payments. Duties include maintaining payroll records, calculating taxes and balancing payroll accounts. If you’re looking to get a payroll manager position, focus on strong written and verbal communication skills, proficiency with payroll software applications, and the ability to skillfully manage staff.
To help you create an ideal payroll manager resume, use our example resumes and expert tips:
Get inspiration from 800+ resume samples and explore our 40+ resume templates to find the best one for you.
Payroll manager example (text version)
Name: JUSTIN MORA
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Highly skilled payroll manager with over nine years of experience. Maximized departmental efficiency by streamlining processes and reducing errors. Familiarity with applicable compliance requirements, tax code and employment laws. Proven track record of leadership and ability to thrive in a team environment.
WORK HISTORY
Payroll Manager,
09/2017 to Current
Company Name, City, State
- Manage bi-weekly payroll for over 6,000 employees and
executives across the nation. - Maintain 250 contract employee calendars and manage set up
for all new banks for direct deposit and accrual year-end
processes. - Offer payroll-related subject matter expertise to management
and employees to resolve any discrepancies.
Assistant Payroll Manager,
12/2014 to 08/2017
Company Name, City, State
- Reviewed time records for 500+ employees to verify accuracy of
information. - Uploaded time records into Gusto and made adjustments to
create accurate database for payroll processing functions. - Generated paper checks for employees and printed stubs for
associates who received direct deposits to complete payroll
distribution.
Payroll Analyst,
01/2011 to 11/2014
Company Name, City, State
- Oversaw day-to-day processing of payroll for 600 employees,
including review of timesheets and computing pay in
accordance with FLSA. - Prepared analysis of tax expenses for month-end accounting
review. - Monitored and tracked all employees’ leave time.
SKILLS
- Bi-weekly payroll processing
- Expense reimbursements
- Payroll auditing
- Tax law
- HR support
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Organization
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science,
Accounting, 05/2011
Minored in Business
Administration,City, State
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Payroll Manager Resume FAQ
1.What skills should you consider for a payroll manager resume?
| Technical skills: | Soft skills: |
| Bulk filing | Quick decision-making |
| Deduction management | Team management |
| PF and gratuity | Written and verbal communication |
| Salary components | Supervision |
| Automated processing | Training |
| Pay focus | Empathy |
| QuickBooks | Abstract thinking |
| Paycor | Abstract thinking |
| Labor welfare funds | Detail-oriented |
| Salary reconciliation | Astute observational skills |
| MIS preparation | Reliability |
| PF number allocation | Reliability |
| ESIC remittance | Adaptability |
| TDS remittance | Solution-driven |
| Statutory reconciliation | Active listening |
| Knowledge of federal and local tax laws | Multitasking |
| Time management | |
| Leadership | |
| Customer service |
| Technical Skills: |
| Bulk filing |
| Deduction management |
| PF and gratuity |
| Salary components |
| Automated processing |
| Pay focus |
| QuickBooks |
| Paycor |
| Labor welfare funds |
| Salary reconciliation |
| MIS preparation |
| PF number allocation |
| ESIC remittance |
| TDS remittance |
| Statutory reconciliation |
| Knowledge of federal and local tax laws |
| Soft skills: |
| Quick decision-making |
| Team management |
| Written and verbal communication skills |
| Supervision |
| Training |
| Empathy |
| Abstract thinking |
| Abstract thinking |
| Detail-oriented |
| Astute observational skills |
| Reliability |
| Reliability |
| Adaptability |
| Solution-driven |
| Active listening |
| Multitasking |
| Time management |
| Leadership |
| Customer service |
2. How should you format your resume?
If you have plenty of work experience in this field, go with the chronological resume format, which focuses on your career progression via an extensive work history section. If you have less experience but can still point to achievements in payroll work, use the combination resume format, which presents a balance of industry-specific skills and work history. If you’re just starting your career, use the functional resume format, which stresses the skills and training you already have.
To learn more about formatting your resume, check out our resume format page.
3. How should you incorporate keywords into your resume?
Organizations often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out worthy candidates, based on keywords in resumes. To get the right keywords, review the job description and take note of important terms that spell out job requirements (e.g., “resolve routine and complex payroll anomalies”). Come up with skills and work experiences you have that fit these requirements, and get them into your summary, skills and work experience sections. For example, you could write “Managed payroll for 30-employee company, with constant resolution of payroll anomalies.” For more tips on keywords, visit our page What are Keywords and How Can You Use Them?
4. How should you use action verbs in your resume?
Use powerful action verbs to describe work experiences. Words such as “guided,” “developed,” “administered,” “organized,” “formulated,” “collaborated” or “generated” define you as someone who takes the initiative, compared to weaker phrases like “was responsible for.” Which sounds better, “Supervised and cross-trained payroll personnel” or “assisted in training payroll personnel”?
5. What are certifications and training programs that fit a payroll manager resume?
Advance your career with professional training in areas such as:
- Certified Payroll Manager (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals)
- Certified Payroll Professional (American Payroll Association)
- Certified Payroll Specialist (National Association of Certified Payroll Specialists)
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume
- DO use numbers and data to give your work achievements more context. It’s easy to say you’re good at something, but putting a value on it helps communicate how good you really are. Use numbers and statistical data when describing your most vital work accomplishments. For example, “Researched and resolved variances of $35,000 in loan reports” makes a more definitive statement than “Resolved variations in loan reports.”
- DO use punchy phrases instead of verbose sentences. No need for complete sentences or first-person pronouns like “I” and “me” in a resume. Keep your bullet points and phrases brief and to-the-point. For example, instead of writing “My primary responsibility was assisting with the processing of the semi-monthly payrolls, utilizing various time and attendance systems and Workday payroll system,” go with “Processed semi-monthly payrolls, utilizing Workday payroll systems along with time and attendance systems.”
- DO create a powerful “elevator pitch” for your summary. An elevator pitch is a quick encapsulation of your top skills and qualifications. To appeal to recruiters who spend only a few seconds reviewing a resume, kick off your resume with a summary statement that addresses what the job wants. For example, for a payroll manager job that stresses accuracy and staff management, you could write: “Meticulous Payroll Manager offering 10+ years of experience ensuring accurate payroll disbursements. Recognized for effective, efficient leadership of payroll staff.”
- DON’T forget to review your resume. Always read through your resume before sending it in, making sure you haven’t missed out on key skills or accomplishments. Be on the lookout for grammatical and spelling errors, make sure your bullet points are crisp and clear, and confirm that your layout is clean. If you use our Resume Builder, our tools will help in most of these areas.
- DON’T send the same resume for every job. Just as every job will have different requirements, your resume should be tailored to every job you apply to. Take note of each job’s specific requirements and customize your resume accordingly. For example, one job might stress accurate data entry, while another might emphasize calculating pay components, complying with federal and local tax guidelines. Update your summary, skills and work experience sections to reflect these requirements (e.g., listing “knowledge of federal and local tax regulations” as a skill).
- DON’T let your resume run too long. As a general rule, it’s best to keep your resume within two pages. Don’t stuff your document with everyday work details, or get over-descriptive about your skills and work history. Focus on skills and work achievements that align with what the employer wants.
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Payroll Manager Resume
Summary
Get right to the point in your summary statement, presenting your most noteworthy accomplishments and strengths. For example: “Proactive payroll manager with experience supervising payroll staff of 10+ members. Specializes in resolving payroll issues and implementing quality assurance procedures.”
Skills
Break up this section into two categories: professional, or “hard” skills (e.g., “proficiency in QuickBooks,” “understanding of federal and state tax regulations,” or “payroll automation improvement”) and intangible, or “soft” skills (“task scheduling,” “analytical thinking,” “time management” or “problem-solving”).
Work History
Feature examples where you went above and beyond expectations, or delivered tangible value to a company. Think accomplishments instead of standard day-to-day duties. Provide details that show your worth. For example, “Reviewed and revised salary processes, cutting down on payroll errors by 15%.”
Education
Present your highest academic credential (e.g., degree in human resources or accounting), as well as any professional training or certifications related to payroll processing, such as Certified Payroll Specialist.
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Payroll Manager Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with extensive experience in digital media. She is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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