HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path starts in secondary school with math, accounting, business, computer, and communication courses. Many people then take a college or university business, accounting, payroll, or office administration program, although some employers may hire applicants with a high school diploma and related experience. Early experience in clerical, bookkeeping, or customer service work can help build skills with records, spreadsheets, and office software. On the job, new workers usually learn payroll systems, reporting, benefits forms, and provincial or employer-specific payroll practices.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Maintain records of employee attendance, leave and overtime to calculate pay and benefit entitlements, in Canadian and other currencies, using manual or computerized systems
- Prepare and verify statements of earnings for employees, indicating gross and net salaries and deductions such as taxes, union dues, garnishments and insurance and pension plans
- Prepare employee payments and benefit payments by cheque or electronic transfer
- Complete, verify and process forms and documentation for administration of benefits such as pension plans, leaves, share savings, employment and medical insurance
- Prepare T4 statements and other statements
- Provide information to employees on payroll matters, benefit plans and collective agreement provisions
- Compile statistical reports, statements, and summaries related to pay and benefits accounts
- Prepare and balance period-end reports and reconcile issued payrolls to bank statements.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Accounting and BudgetingComputer LiteracyKeyboardingScheduling