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Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks maintain and balance records of financial transactions, oversee the operation of payroll functions and calculate hours worked, wages due and other relevant contributions and deductions.

Main tasks

  • Calculates costs and overheads and prepares analyses for management.
  • Compiles schedules and distributes or arranges distribution of wages and salaries.
  • Processes holiday, sick and maternity pay and travel and subsistence expenses.
  • Calculates and records hours worked, wages due, deductions and voluntary contributions.
  • Supervises payroll team and develops payroll systems and procedures.
  • Prepares provisional balances and reconciles these with appropriate accounts.
  • Records and checks accuracy of daily financial transactions.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£41,478.26

Average earnings

£24,611.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 1%
Level 1 5%
Level 2 19%
Level 3 23%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 10%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 35%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 6%
Level 8 (Doctorate) 0%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.