Payroll Clerk Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Payroll Clerk Resume examples

Ever wondered who makes sure everyone gets paid correctly and on time? Payroll clerks are the unsung heroes of payday, ensuring your direct deposit hits just when you need it most. These detail-oriented professionals handle the critical behind-the-scenes financial processes that keep businesses running smoothly—processing timesheets, calculating withholdings, and resolving those tricky payroll discrepancies that inevitably pop up. The role has evolved dramatically in recent years, with 78% of companies now using some form of automated payroll software according to a 2022 American Payroll Association survey.

But don't be fooled! The shift toward automation hasn't diminished the importance of skilled payroll professionals. (If anything, it's made their expertise more valuable.) Today's payroll clerks need both technical savvy and compliance knowledge as they navigate complex tax regulations that seem to change with every legislative session. With the rise of remote work arrangements and gig economy jobs creating new payroll challenges, this field is poised for interesting developments. For those who love working with numbers and take satisfaction in solving problems, a career in payroll offers stability, growth potential, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing you're responsible for everyone's favorite day of the month.

Junior Payroll Clerk Resume Example

Melissa Torres

San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 555-3842 | melissa.torres@email.com | linkedin.com/in/melissatorres

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Detail-oriented Payroll Clerk with 1+ year of experience processing biweekly payroll for 150+ employees across multiple departments. Quick learner who has reduced processing errors by 17% through meticulous data validation and documentation procedures. Seeking to grow my career in payroll administration while applying my accounting background and strong analytical skills.

EXPERIENCE

Payroll Clerk | Brightway Medical Group | San Diego, CA | June 2022 – Present

  • Process biweekly payroll for 150+ healthcare staff across 3 locations, ensuring timely and accurate payment
  • Validate and input employee time data from multiple sources, resolving discrepancies before processing
  • Calculate overtime, shift differentials, and PTO according to company policies and labor regulations
  • Respond to approximately 25-30 employee inquiries weekly regarding pay issues, tax withholdings, and benefits deductions
  • Created a standardized tracking system for payroll adjustments that reduced processing errors by 17%

Accounting Intern | Parkview Financial Services | San Diego, CA | January 2022 – May 2022

  • Assisted with basic payroll functions including data entry and filing of payroll documentation
  • Reconciled timesheet data with department manager approvals for 45 employees
  • Helped prepare quarterly tax reports and maintained organized digital records
  • Learned fundamentals of ADP Workforce Now system through shadowing senior payroll staff

Customer Service Representative (Part-time) | Wilson’s Department Store | San Diego, CA | July 2020 – December 2021

  • Managed point-of-sale system and balanced cash drawer with 99.2% accuracy
  • Handled customer transactions and inquiries while maintaining store operations
  • Trained 4 new employees on register operations and store procedures

EDUCATION

Associate of Science in Accounting | San Diego City College | San Diego, CA | May 2021

  • GPA: 3.7/4.0
  • Relevant Coursework: Principles of Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Business Law, Spreadsheet Applications
  • Member of Student Accounting Association

CERTIFICATIONS

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) | American Payroll Association | March 2022

QuickBooks Online Certification | Intuit | December 2021

SKILLS

  • Payroll Processing: ADP Workforce Now, Kronos
  • Tax Reporting: W-2, W-4, quarterly filings
  • Software: Microsoft Excel (intermediate), QuickBooks, Google Workspace
  • Data Entry (65 WPM with 98% accuracy)
  • Time & Attendance Systems
  • Wage Calculations & Deductions
  • Basic Accounting Principles
  • Records Management
  • Compliance with labor laws (FLSA, FMLA)
  • Problem-solving & Attention to detail

ADDITIONAL

Volunteer Treasurer | Beach Community Garden Club | 2021 – Present
Bilingual: English and Spanish (conversational)

Mid-level Payroll Clerk Resume Example

Megan Torres

San Diego, CA 92101 • (619) 555-8742 • megan.torres@email.com • linkedin.com/in/megantorres

Professional Summary

Detail-oriented Payroll Clerk with 5+ years processing bi-weekly payroll for organizations with up to 275 employees. Skilled in tax compliance, benefits administration, and payroll software (ADP, QuickBooks). Known for resolving complex payroll discrepancies and maintaining 99.7% accuracy rates while meeting tight deadlines in fast-paced environments.

Professional Experience

Senior Payroll Specialist | Bayside Medical Group | San Diego, CA | June 2021 – Present

  • Process bi-weekly payroll for 275 employees across 4 medical facilities, ensuring timely and accurate payments while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations
  • Reduced payroll processing time by 37% by implementing new ADP Workforce Now procedures and creating standardized templates for common payroll adjustments
  • Reconcile and audit time sheets, process garnishments, and handle tax withholdings while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive employee information
  • Train and mentor 2 junior payroll clerks on proper procedures and troubleshooting common payroll issues
  • Collaborate with HR to resolve benefits deduction discrepancies, cutting error rates from 5.2% to just 1.8% in 9 months

Payroll Clerk | Horizon Manufacturing, Inc. | San Diego, CA | August 2019 – May 2021

  • Processed weekly payroll for 120+ hourly employees and bi-weekly payroll for 45 salaried staff using QuickBooks Payroll
  • Verified and entered timecard data, overtime hours, and commission payments with 99.5% accuracy
  • Assisted with quarterly tax filings and year-end W-2 preparation for all employees
  • Responded to employee inquiries regarding pay discrepancies, tax withholdings, and direct deposit issues
  • Created and distributed monthly payroll reports for department managers and finance team

Payroll Assistant (Part-time) | Riverside Community College | Riverside, CA | January 2018 – July 2019

  • Assisted payroll department with processing bi-weekly payroll for 90+ faculty and staff members
  • Maintained accurate employee files and updated payroll records with new hires, terminations, and pay rate changes
  • Calculated hours worked from time sheets, including overtime and holiday pay
  • Helped implement digital timecard system that eliminated paper waste and reduced processing time by 6 hours per pay period

Education & Certifications

Associate of Science in Accounting | Riverside Community College | 2018

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) | American Payroll Association | 2020

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification | Intuit | 2021

Technical Skills

  • Payroll Software: ADP Workforce Now, QuickBooks Payroll, Kronos
  • Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUP and PivotTables)
  • Time & Attendance Systems
  • Tax Filing & Compliance
  • Benefits Administration
  • Data Entry (85 WPM with 98% accuracy)
  • Wage Garnishment Processing
  • Records Management

Additional Information

Active member of San Diego Chapter of American Payroll Association

Volunteer tax preparer for low-income families (VITA Program) during tax season

Senior / Experienced Payroll Clerk Resume Example

Melissa R. Thompson

(612) 555-8947 • melissa.thompson@email.com • linkedin.com/in/melissathompson
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Dedicated payroll professional with 9+ years of experience managing multi-state payroll operations for organizations with up to 1,200 employees. Excel at resolving complex payroll discrepancies and implementing process improvements that have cut processing time by 27%. Known for exceptional attention to detail, strong compliance knowledge, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality while building positive relationships with employees at all levels.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Payroll Specialist | Northstar Healthcare Systems | Minneapolis, MN | June 2019 – Present

  • Process bi-weekly payroll for 1,200+ employees across 4 states using ADP Workforce Now, ensuring 99.8% accuracy rate
  • Reconcile and submit $1.3M in monthly tax payments and filings for federal, state, and local jurisdictions
  • Reduced payroll processing time from 3 days to 2.2 days by redesigning approval workflows and automating time entry validation
  • Created comprehensive documentation for 16 payroll procedures that simplified training and improved team consistency
  • Collaborate with HR team during annual merit increase cycles to process retroactive payments and adjustments
  • Implemented automated PTO tracking system that reduced manual errors by 31% and improved employee satisfaction scores

Payroll Administrator | Venture Manufacturing Group | St. Paul, MN | August 2016 – May 2019

  • Processed weekly and bi-weekly payroll for 450+ employees using Paychex, including hourly, salary, and commission payments
  • Maintained employee records and processed status changes (new hires, terminations, leaves, etc.)
  • Responded to and resolved employee payroll inquiries within 24 hours, maintaining detailed records of all communications
  • Assisted with year-end processing including W-2 preparation, verification, and distribution
  • Collaborated with Finance team on quarterly audit processes to ensure payroll data integrity

Payroll Clerk | Wilson & Associates | Minneapolis, MN | March 2014 – July 2016

  • Processed semi-monthly payroll for 175 employees using QuickBooks Payroll
  • Calculated overtime, shift differentials, and retroactive pay adjustments
  • Maintained employee records including direct deposit information, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions
  • Prepared and reconciled payroll reports for management review

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Minneapolis Community & Technical College | 2013

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) | American Payroll Association | 2015

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) | American Payroll Association | 2018

ADP Workforce Now Certification | 2020

SKILLS

  • Payroll Systems: ADP Workforce Now, Paychex, Workday, QuickBooks Payroll
  • Multi-state tax compliance and reporting
  • Wage garnishment processing
  • FLSA and state labor law compliance
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, macros)
  • Time and attendance management
  • General ledger reconciliation
  • Year-end W-2 and 1099 processing
  • 401(k) and benefits administration
  • Data analysis and reporting

How to Write a Payroll Clerk Resume

Introduction

Landing a payroll clerk job takes more than just experience—it takes a resume that speaks directly to hiring managers looking for accuracy, attention to detail, and technical know-how. In my 15+ years helping finance professionals land jobs, I've seen firsthand that payroll positions get flooded with applications. A well-crafted resume isn't just helpful—it's your ticket to getting past the first round and into the interview chair.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your payroll clerk resume clean and organized—just like your spreadsheets! Aim for 1-2 pages max (one page if you've got under

5 years of experience). Use a simple, professional font like Arial or Calibri in 10-12pt size.

  • Create clear sections with bold headers (contact info, summary, experience, skills, education)
  • Use reverse chronological order for your work history
  • Leave plenty of white space—cramped resumes get skimmed or skipped
  • Save as a PDF unless the job posting specifically asks for a Word doc
  • Name your file professionally (JaneDoe_PayrollClerk.pdf, not Resume_Final_v3.pdf)

Profile/Summary Section

Your summary should be 3-4 lines that pack a punch. Think of it as your elevator pitch. Mention your years of experience, strongest technical skills, and one standout achievement. For payroll specifically, highlight your accuracy rate or compliance knowledge.

Skip writing "seeking a position" statements. Instead, show what you bring to the table: "Detail-oriented Payroll Clerk with 4+ years managing bi-weekly payroll for 350+ employees with 99.7% accuracy and deep expertise in ADP Workforce Now."

Professional Experience

This is where the magic happens! For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, your title, and dates employed
  • 4-6 bullet points focusing on achievements, not just duties
  • Specific metrics when possible (payroll size, error rates, processing time improvements)
  • Systems you've used (ADP, Kronos, Workday, QuickBooks, etc.)

Transform a boring duty like "Processed payroll" into "Processed bi-weekly payroll for 278 employees across 3 states, ensuring 100% compliance with varying state tax regulations and reducing processing time by 6 hours per cycle."

Education and Certifications

List your highest degree first, followed by relevant certifications. For payroll, these certifications can really set you apart:

  • Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
  • ADP certifications
  • QuickBooks certifications
  • Any tax preparation or accounting coursework

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Incorporate keywords from the job posting (payroll processing, tax filing, wage garnishments, general ledger)
  • List software by exact names (Kronos Workforce Central, not just "Kronos")
  • Include industry acronyms (FLSA, FUTA, SUTA, W-2, 1099) but also spell them out once
  • Mention specific payroll functions (multi-state taxation, garnishments, PTO tracking)

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout your resume to show you speak the language:

  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Quarterly tax filings
  • Year-end reconciliation
  • General ledger account reconciliation
  • Payroll tax deposits
  • W-2 and 1099 preparation
  • Garnishment administration

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Typos or calculation errors (fatal for payroll roles!)
  • Vague statements without specifics ("good with numbers")
  • Focusing only on duties instead of accomplishments
  • Omitting systems and software expertise
  • Using one generic resume for every application

Before/After Example

Before: Responsible for payroll processing and ensuring employees get paid.

After: Processed semi-monthly payroll for 124 employees, managing $437K in disbursements while maintaining 99.8% accuracy rate. Implemented new time-tracking protocol that reduced timecard discrepancies by 47% and saved approximately 5 hours of reconciliation work monthly.

Remember—your payroll clerk resume should showcase not just what you did, but how well you did it. Numbers tell the story that words alone can't!

Soft skills for your Payroll Clerk resume

  • Confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive compensation information
  • Clear communication skills for explaining payroll discrepancies to non-finance colleagues
  • Deadline management – especially during high-pressure periods like year-end processing
  • Attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture (crucial for compliance)
  • Adaptability to changing tax regulations and payroll systems
  • Conflict resolution when addressing employee pay concerns or disputes

Hard skills for your Payroll Clerk resume

  • Multi-state payroll tax compliance (10+ states)
  • ADP Workforce Now processing for 200+ employees
  • QuickBooks Payroll and Payroll Tax Administration
  • Excel modeling for payroll forecasting (includes VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH)
  • Kronos time tracking system implementation and maintenance
  • Workday HCM payroll module
  • 401(k) and benefits deduction reconciliation
  • FLSA compliance and wage garnishment processing
  • PeopleSoft HRIS data entry and report generation