Finding strong payroll talent can be challenging. Payroll professionals need the technical knowledge to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time, but the role requires much more than processing payroll.
Strong payroll professionals understand compliance, work confidently with technology, pay close attention to detail and communicate effectively with employees and other stakeholders.
What should you look for when hiring payroll talent?
1. Payroll Education and Designations
Payroll education and professional designations can demonstrate that a candidate has developed specialized knowledge of payroll practices and compliance.
For example, Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) and Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designations through the National Payroll Institute can indicate different levels of payroll knowledge and experience.
A designation isn’t the only measure of a strong payroll professional, but it can be particularly valuable when combined with relevant hands-on experience.
2. Payroll Software Experience
Payroll professionals increasingly work with technology, making experience with payroll and HR systems an important consideration.
Candidates may have experience with platforms such as ADP, Dayforce, Payworks or other payroll and HRIS systems. While experience with your organization’s specific platform can be an advantage, don’t overlook candidates who have successfully learned and adapted to different systems throughout their careers.
Look beyond the name of the software and consider how the candidate has used it. Have they helped implement a new system? Improved a process? Identified an error? Created efficiencies? Their answers can tell you much more about their technical capabilities.
3. Understanding of Payroll Compliance
Payroll professionals work within a complex and continually evolving regulatory environment.
Depending on the organization and workforce, this can include income tax, CPP and EI deductions, taxable benefits, vacation and statutory holiday pay, overtime, leaves, terminations, year-end reporting and other provincial or federal requirements.
Strong payroll candidates understand the importance of staying current with legislative changes and know where to find reliable information when requirements change.
4. Attention to Detail
Accuracy matters in payroll.
Small errors can affect an employee’s pay, create compliance issues and require significant time to correct. Strong payroll professionals understand the importance of accurate record keeping, careful data entry and reviewing their work before payroll is finalized.
When interviewing candidates, ask for examples of how they check their work, identify discrepancies and resolve payroll errors. Their process can provide valuable insight into how they approach accuracy and accountability.
5. Customer Service and Communication Skills
Payroll is ultimately about people.
Employees rely on payroll professionals to answer questions about their pay, deductions, benefits and other payroll-related matters. Those conversations can sometimes involve sensitive or stressful situations.
Strong payroll professionals can explain complex information clearly, maintain confidentiality, respond professionally and work with employees to resolve issues.
Technical payroll knowledge matters, but the ability to build trust and communicate effectively can be just as important.
Find the Payroll Talent Your Organization Needs
Finding the right payroll professional means looking beyond whether someone can process a payroll. The strongest candidates combine technical expertise, attention to detail, adaptability, communication skills and an understanding of the responsibility that comes with ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
At Mercer Bradley, we specialize in accounting, finance and payroll recruitment in Winnipeg. We take the time to understand your organization, the role and the experience you need so we can help you find the right fit.
Contact us today to learn how Mercer Bradley can help with your next payroll hire.
