Resume guide · Job Zone 3

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerksresume guide.

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. A strong Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks resume shows reading comprehension, active listening and mathematics, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, SAP software and Workday software.

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01Also called

O*NET
Payroll AssistantPayroll ClerkPayroll CoordinatorPayroll RepresentativePayroll SpecialistPayroll TechnicianPersonnel AssistantPersonnel TechnicianTimekeeperAccounting Assistant

02Skills employers expect

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Importance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.

SkillImportanceLevel
Reading ComprehensionHighIntermediate
Active ListeningHighIntermediate
MathematicsHighIntermediate
Critical ThinkingHighIntermediate
SpeakingHighIntermediate
WritingHighIntermediate
Complex Problem SolvingHighIntermediate
MonitoringHighIntermediate
Service OrientationHighIntermediate
Judgment and Decision MakingModerateIntermediate

03Knowledge areas

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  • Administrative
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Communications and Media
  • Education and Training

04Common responsibilities

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Ordered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.

  1. Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
  2. Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
  3. Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.
  4. Process paperwork for new employees and enter employee information into the payroll system.
  5. Prepare and balance period-end reports, and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
  6. Review time sheets, work charts, wage computation, and other information to detect and reconcile payroll discrepancies.
  7. Distribute and collect timecards each pay period.
  8. Record employee information, such as exemptions, transfers, and resignations, to maintain and update payroll records.
  9. Issue and record adjustments to pay related to previous errors or retroactive increases.
  10. Keep track of leave time, such as vacation, personal, and sick leave, for employees.

05Software and tools

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64 tools across 15 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.

Time accounting software23
  • Kronos Workforce TimekeeperHotIn demand
  • Payroll softwareIn demand
  • Kronos Workforce Payroll
  • Microsoft Great Plains Personal Data Keeper
  • WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
  • ADP eTIME
  • ADP PC/Payroll
  • Automated payroll software
  • Automated timekeeping software
  • BMH Open4 Payroll
  • CyberShift Workforce Management 3G Time and Attendance
  • EBS On Line InstaPay
  • Galaxy Technologies TimeStar Enterprise
  • isolved Time
  • Jantek Jupiter Time Attendance
  • NuView EBS
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Payroll for North America
  • PayData Advanced HR
  • RSM McGladrey Clear Pay
  • SAP Americas mySAP ERP Human Capital Management HCM
  • TimePlus Payroll
  • UNITIME
  • Virtual Software Virtual Timecard
+ 18 more
Human resources software11
  • ADP Workforce NowIn demand
  • Oracle HRISIn demand
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • ADP Enterprise HR
  • Sage HRMS
  • Ultimate Software UltiPro Workplace
  • Asure Software HCM
  • Paychex payroll software
  • PDS Vista
  • API Navigator
  • Human Resource MicroSystems HR Entre
+ 6 more
Enterprise resource planning ERP software8
+ 3 more
Accounting software6
  • Intuit QuickBooksHotIn demand
  • Tax softwareIn demand
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Fund accounting software
  • Quicken
  • Penta software
+ 1 more
Electronic mail software4
Data base user interface and query software2
Internet browser software2
Business intelligence and data analysis software1
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
Compliance software1
  • BSI ComplianceFactory
Data base reporting software1
  • SAP Crystal Reports
Financial analysis software1
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
Office suite software1
Presentation software1
Spreadsheet software1
Word processing software1

06Education and preparation

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Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
32% of surveyed workers. Others report Some College Courses (30%) and High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (21%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 3 · Medium preparation
Usually vocational training, an associate degree or a few years of related experience.

07Putting it on your resume

ResumeXRays guidance
BEE · How to show it

Lead with the credential and the record. Job Zone 3 roles usually ask for training, a license or a few years of related experience. Put those on the first screen, then show what you did with them.

Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, SAP software, Workday software, Intuit QuickBooks" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.

Show active listening and mathematics, not just reading comprehension. Active listening and mathematics rank close to reading comprehension for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.

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