Check your payroll administrator CV against the job advert
Payroll adverts want to know how much payroll you've run, which parts, and on which software. Accuracy and confidentiality come close behind.
Start with your advert
Every payroll administrator advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What payroll administrator adverts usually ask for
End-to-end payroll
Why they askAdverts often say "end-to-end" meaning from starters and changes to payments and reports.
How to show itGive the frequency, headcount and what you handled.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Ran end-to-end [weekly / monthly] payroll for about [number] employees across [number] payrolls.
HMRC RTI and year-end
Why they askReal Time Information (RTI) submissions and year-end are core compliance tasks.
How to show itSay what you submitted and prepared.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Submitted FPS and EPS returns to HMRC through RTI and completed year-end, including [P60s / P11Ds].
Statutory payments and deductions
Why they askCalculating sick pay, parental pay and deductions correctly matters to every employee.
How to show itList what you've calculated.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Calculated SSP, SMP and other statutory payments, and processed deductions such as [student loans / attachments of earnings].
Pensions auto-enrolment
Why they askMost employers must auto-enrol staff into a pension.
How to show itDescribe your part.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Managed pension auto-enrolment and submitted contributions to [provider].
Payroll software and CIPP
Why they askAdverts usually name the software and may ask for a CIPP qualification.
How to show itName both.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Used [payroll software]; CIPP [qualification], [year].
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost payroll administrator applications
- No headcount or frequency.
- Not mentioning RTI or year-end experience.
Questions
What is end-to-end payroll on a CV?
It means you've handled the whole cycle: new starters, changes and leavers, calculations, approvals, payments, RTI submissions and reports.