Payroll Coordinator Resume examples & templates

Written by: 

Adam

Build Your Resume Now
Copyable resume examples

Copyable Payroll Coordinator Resume examples

Ever wonder who's behind those reliable paychecks that hit your account every two weeks? Payroll Coordinators are the unsung heroes of the workplace, ensuring everyone gets paid accurately and on time. These detail-oriented professionals serve as the critical link between HR, accounting, and employees, managing everything from processing bi-weekly payrolls to handling tax withholdings and addressing those frantic "Where's my money?!" emails that inevitably arrive minutes after a payroll deadline.

With the rise of remote work and increasingly complex tax regulations, Payroll Coordinators have seen their roles expand significantly. Many now manage multi-state tax compliance and integrate with a growing ecosystem of HR tech platforms. According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, employment for payroll specialists is projected to grow by 11.3% through 2030—faster than the average for all occupations. This growth reflects both the recession-resistant nature of the field (people always need to get paid!) and the increasing specialization required as payroll systems become more sophisticated. For those with strong analytical minds and a knack for problem-solving, payroll coordination offers a stable career path with plenty of room to develop into management or specialized compliance roles.

Junior Payroll Coordinator Resume Example

Eliza Morales

Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 555-8763 | elizamorales@email.com | linkedin.com/in/elizamorales

Detail-oriented Payroll Coordinator with 1+ year of experience processing biweekly payroll for 200+ employees. Skilled in ADP Workforce Now and Excel, with a knack for spotting discrepancies. Completed 6 payroll cycles with 99.7% accuracy while maintaining strict confidentiality. Currently pursuing Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) to expand knowledge of tax regulations and compliance.

EXPERIENCE

Payroll Coordinator | Westfield Manufacturing, Inc; | Seattle, WA | January 2023 – Present

  • Process biweekly payroll for 217 employees across 3 departments, ensuring accurate and timely payments
  • Reconcile timecards and verify accuracy of hours worked, overtime, PTO and holiday pay
  • Respond to approximately 25-30 employee inquiries weekly regarding pay discrepancies, tax withholding and benefit deductions
  • Collaborate with HR to update employee records for new hires, terminations and status changes
  • Generate and distribute quarterly payroll reports for management review

Payroll Assistant (Part-time) | Seattle Community College | Seattle, WA | September 2022 – December 2022

  • Assisted with processing monthly payroll for 83 staff members and adjunct faculty
  • Collected and organized timesheet data, flagging discrepancies for review
  • Maintained digital filing system for payroll records, improving retrieval time by 35%
  • Helped prepare end-of-year tax documents including W-2s under supervision

Administrative Assistant | Bright Horizons Dental | Seattle, WA | June 2021 – August 2022

  • Managed front desk operations including scheduling, patient check-in and basic billing
  • Tracked employee attendance and submitted biweekly timesheets to external payroll provider
  • Reconciled daily cash receipts and prepared bank deposits
  • Created and maintained spreadsheets for office expense tracking

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Seattle Community College | Graduated May 2022

  • Relevant coursework: Payroll Accounting, Business Tax Applications, Accounting Software Applications
  • GPA: 3.7/4.0

Certifications & Training

  • ADP Workforce Now Certification (2023)
  • Microsoft Excel Specialist (2022)
  • Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) – In progress, expected completion August 2024

SKILLS

  • Payroll Systems: ADP Workforce Now, Kronos, QuickBooks Payroll
  • Software: Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), Word, Outlook
  • Technical: Data entry (65 WPM), basic SQL queries, cloud-based file management
  • Compliance: Basic understanding of FLSA, FMLA, wage garnishments, tax withholding
  • Soft Skills: Detail-oriented, confidentiality, time management, customer service

Mid-level Payroll Coordinator Resume Example

Melanie Zhao

mzhao.payroll@gmail.com | (415) 729-5184 | San Francisco, CA 94110
www.linkedin.com/in/melaniezhao-payroll

Detail-oriented Payroll Coordinator with 5+ years of experience managing full-cycle payroll operations for multi-state companies. Proven track record of reducing processing errors by 17% through improved validation systems. Known for maintaining strict compliance with federal and state regulations while supporting 300+ employees across different pay schedules. Passionate about streamlining processes and providing exceptional service to internal clients.

Professional Experience

Senior Payroll Coordinator | BrightScale Technologies | San Francisco, CA | March 2021 – Present

  • Process bi-weekly payroll for 350+ employees across 7 states using ADP Workforce Now, handling approximately $1.2M in monthly payroll
  • Reduced manual data entry by implementing automated time tracking integration that cut processing time by 6.5 hours per pay period
  • Coordinate with HR team to ensure accurate application of benefits deductions, garnishments, and tax withholdings
  • Reconciled and resolved a complex $42,600 payroll discrepancy from Q3 2022 that stemmed from misclassified contractor payments
  • Train and mentor 2 junior payroll specialists, developing comprehensive SOPs for common processes

Payroll Specialist | Veridan Healthcare Systems | Oakland, CA | June 2019 – February 2021

  • Processed weekly and bi-weekly payroll for 175+ healthcare staff with varying shift differentials and overtime calculations
  • Managed year-end processing including W-2 preparation, verification, and distribution with 99.8% accuracy rate
  • Created customized Excel macros that reduced time spent on quarterly tax reporting by 23%
  • Collaborated with IT to troubleshoot and resolve Kronos timekeeping system issues during critical system upgrade

Payroll Assistant | Meridian Financial Group | San Jose, CA | August 2018 – May 2019

  • Supported full-cycle payroll processing for 120 employees using Paychex platform
  • Audited timecards and verified accuracy of hours worked, PTO, and holiday pay
  • Responded to employee inquiries regarding paychecks, direct deposits, and W-4 changes
  • Maintained confidential payroll files and documentation in compliance with record retention policies

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance Concentration
San Francisco State University, 2018

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
American Payroll Association, 2019

ADP Workforce Now Certification
ADP, 2021

Technical Skills

  • Payroll Systems: ADP Workforce Now, Paychex, Kronos, UltiPro
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Multi-state tax regulations & compliance
  • Wage garnishment processing
  • Time & attendance systems
  • Payroll tax filing (940, 941, W-2, 1099)
  • QuickBooks Payroll
  • HRIS data management
  • Benefits administration

Professional Development

  • California Payroll Conference, 2022
  • APA Virtual Congress, 2021
  • Multi-State Taxation Workshop, 2020

Senior / Experienced Payroll Coordinator Resume Example

DENISE MCCORMICK

Portland, OR • (503) 555-4127 • denise.mccormick@email.com • linkedin.com/in/denisemccormick

Dedicated Payroll Coordinator with 9+ years of progressive experience managing complex multi-state payroll systems. Skilled at streamlining processes, reducing errors by 98%, and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Known for exceptional attention to detail while processing bi-weekly payroll for up to 1,400 employees. Adept at training staff and implementing new payroll technologies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Payroll Coordinator | Westfield Manufacturing | Portland, OR | May 2019 – Present

  • Manage full-cycle payroll processing for 1,400+ employees across 8 states, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state tax regulations
  • Led implementation of new Workday payroll system, cutting processing time by 37% and saving $92,000 annually
  • Reduced payroll errors from 3.2% to 0.4% by creating comprehensive checklist system and audit protocols
  • Train and supervise team of 3 payroll specialists; developed cross-training program that maintains operations during peak vacation periods
  • Reconcile and file quarterly tax returns for multiple states, ensuring 100% on-time submission for past 14 quarters

Payroll Specialist | Northwest Medical Group | Vancouver, WA | June 2016 – April 2019

  • Processed bi-weekly payroll for 650+ healthcare staff including physicians, nurses, and administrative personnel
  • Collaborated with HR to resolve complex wage inquiries and discrepancies within 24-hour turnaround
  • Managed garnishment orders and other payroll deductions in compliance with federal and state regulations
  • Spearheaded transition from manual time tracking to digital system, cutting timesheet processing from 2 days to 4 hours
  • Created quarterly payroll audit process that identified $43,700 in overpayments in first year

Payroll Assistant | TechStream Solutions | Portland, OR | August 2014 – May 2016

  • Supported processing of semi-monthly payroll for 300+ employees using ADP Workforce Now
  • Maintained employee payroll records and processed status changes (new hires, terminations, etc.)
  • Calculated overtime, shift differentials, and retroactive pay adjustments
  • Responded to employee inquiries regarding pay discrepancies, tax withholdings, and benefits deductions

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration | Portland State University | 2014

Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) | American Payroll Association | 2016

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

Workday Payroll Certification | 2020

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Payroll Systems: ADP Workforce Now, Workday, Paychex, UltiPro
  • HRIS: Workday, Oracle HCM, BambooHR
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Multi-state tax compliance
  • Wage garnishment processing
  • Time & attendance systems
  • 401(k) and benefits administration
  • Microsoft Office Suite & Google Workspace

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Payroll Association (APA), Member since 2016
Oregon Payroll Professionals Association, Member since 2017

How to Write a Payroll Coordinator Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Payroll Coordinator role starts with a resume that showcases your attention to detail and technical expertise. As someone who's reviewed thousands of payroll resumes, I can tell you that employers typically spend just 6-8 seconds scanning your document before deciding whether to keep reading. Your resume needs to quickly demonstrate that you understand payroll processes, have experience with relevant software, and can handle sensitive financial information with precision.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable - just like a well-organized payroll report. Aim for 1-2 pages depending on your experience level. For most Payroll Coordinator positions, a chronological format works best since employers want to see your progression in handling payroll responsibilities.

  • Use consistent formatting with clear section headings
  • Choose a professional font like Calibri or Arial at 10-12pt
  • Include plenty of white space (0.75-1 inch margins)
  • Save as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests another format
  • Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_Payroll.pdf"

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a concise 3-4 sentence summary that highlights your payroll experience, technical skills, and standout qualities. Think of this as your "elevator pitch" to hiring managers.

Pro Tip: Customize your summary for each application by mentioning the specific payroll software the company uses if it's listed in the job description. This immediately signals that you're qualified to handle their systems.

Example: "Detail-oriented Payroll Coordinator with 4+ years of experience processing multi-state payrolls for 750+ employees. Proficient in ADP Workforce Now and Kronos timekeeping systems. Known for reducing processing errors by 97% through implementing automated verification protocols."

Professional Experience

This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, and dates of employment
  • Your title
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting accomplishments (not just duties!)

Focus on quantifiable achievements like:

  • Number of employees on payroll you managed
  • Error reduction percentages
  • Processing time improvements
  • Cost savings from process improvements
  • Tax filing accuracy rates

Bad example: "Processed biweekly payroll"
Good example: "Processed biweekly payroll for 238 employees across 4 states, maintaining 99.8% accuracy rate while reducing processing time by 6 hours per cycle."

Education and Certifications

List your highest degree first, followed by relevant certifications. For Payroll Coordinators, certifications can sometimes carry more weight than degrees, so highlight these prominently:

  • Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC)
  • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
  • Software certifications (ADP, Paychex, Workday, etc.)
  • Accounting or HR certifications that complement payroll work

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. Include these payroll-specific keywords (where truthful):

  • Multi-state payroll
  • Payroll tax compliance
  • Wage garnishments
  • Benefits administration
  • General ledger reconciliation
  • Year-end processing
  • W-2 preparation
  • FLSA compliance

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout your resume to demonstrate domain expertise:

  • Specific payroll software (ADP, Paychex, Ceridian, UKG, Workday)
  • Tax forms (941, W-2, W-4, 1099)
  • PTO accruals
  • FICA, FUTA, SUTA
  • Garnishment processing
  • GL coding

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing on duties instead of achievements
  • Omitting metrics that demonstrate your impact
  • Typos or formatting inconsistencies (fatal for payroll roles!)
  • Using vague statements like "good with numbers" instead of specific skills
  • Forgetting to mention experience with specific payroll systems

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for processing payroll and handling employee questions."

After: "Processed semi-monthly payroll for 172 employees with 99.7% accuracy rate while reducing inquiry response time from 24 hours to 4 hours through implementation of self-service portal that resolved 43% of common questions."

Remember, your resume should tell the story of how you've made payroll processes more accurate, efficient, and compliant throughout your career. Focus on demonstrating not just what you did, but how well you did it!

Soft skills for your Payroll Coordinator resume

  • Conflict resolution – effectively mediating payment discrepancies between departments while maintaining professional relationships
  • Detail orientation with the ability to shift between analytical tasks and interpersonal communication (my supervisor calls this my “payroll superpower”)
  • Cross-functional collaboration, particularly when working with HR, finance teams and department managers during payroll cycles
  • Clear communication of complex payroll policies to non-finance colleagues
  • Time management during critical pay periods – I’ve never missed a payroll deadline in 5+ years
  • Discretion when handling sensitive compensation information and personal employee data

Hard skills for your Payroll Coordinator resume

  • Proficient with ADP Workforce Now and Paychex Flex payroll systems
  • Experience processing multi-state payroll for 200+ employees
  • QuickBooks Payroll certification
  • Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and payroll formula creation
  • Familiarity with tax filing requirements across federal, state and local jurisdictions
  • Knowledge of FLSA, FMLA and wage garnishment regulations
  • Data migration experience between legacy systems and cloud-based solutions
  • Kronos time and attendance system administration
  • Experience with 401(k) and benefits deduction reconciliation