Payroll Manager Resume Example
Working as a payroll manager can provide a rewarding career, involving processing payroll data and ensuring compliance standards. A strong resume for payroll manager applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional payroll manager resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other payroll manager applicants. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning payroll manager resume.
What to include in a payroll manager resume
A successful payroll manager resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for an entry-level payroll manager role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
For those with some prior experience as a payroll manager work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
For senior payroll manager applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header
A payroll manager resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Eliana Cook
eliana.cook@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
linkedin․com/in/eliana–cook123
Resume Summary
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for payroll manager roles.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for payroll manager roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a payroll manager resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Experienced Payroll Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) focused on Human Resource Management. Proven expertise in overseeing payroll operations, ensuring compliance with tax regulations, and implementing efficient payroll systems. Strong leadership skills with a history of managing payroll teams, optimizing processes, and enhancing accuracy and timeliness of payroll functions. Adept at handling complex payroll scenarios and providing strategic insights to support organizational financial goals
Bad example:
Worked in payroll with some experience in business and human resources. Managed payroll tasks and made sure things followed rules. Led teams and worked on making payroll processes better and faster. Handled tricky payroll situations and tried to help with financial goals
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your payroll manager resume summary.
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a payroll manager. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to payroll manager roles.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Payroll Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Pinnacle Payroll Solutions, Tucson
- Implemented automated payroll system, reducing processing time by 50% and minimizing errors
- Led successful transition to a new payroll software, ensuring zero downtime and seamless employee experience
- Achieved 99.9% payroll accuracy rate over three consecutive years, enhancing employee trust and satisfaction
Bad example:
Payroll Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Pinnacle Payroll Solutions, Tucson
- Improved payroll processes, enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness
- Managed payroll operations, ensuring smooth and timely execution
- Contributed to team success through effective leadership and collaboration
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education and Qualifications
In your education section, include details of your most relevant payroll manager qualifications and educational achievements.
A payroll manager role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your excel advanced skills or HRIS systems management.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus on Human Resource Management, 2017 - 2020
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to payroll manager positions. Consider adding excel advanced skills, attention to detail or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for payroll manager jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a payroll manager.
Highlighting your hard skills
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a payroll manager. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your payroll manager job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the payroll manager role. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a payroll manager resume, see below.
- Payroll software proficiency
- Tax compliance knowledge
- Excel advanced skills
How to list soft skills on your payroll manager resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a payroll manager resume.
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Communication and collaboration
Certifications and Training
In this section, include any payroll manager certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a payroll manager.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a payroll manager resume:
- CPP Certification, 2022
- FPC Certification, 2022
- SHRM-CP Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of a payroll manager resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for payroll manager jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world payroll manager experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Volunteer Work
If you're lacking relevant payroll manager work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a payroll manager resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your payroll manager resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Administer
- Coordinate
- Analyze
- Supervise
- Implement
- Oversee
- Streamline
- Reconcile
- Ensure
- Audit
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Sample payroll manager resume
The payroll manager resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
•
eliana.cook@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/eliana–cook123
Experienced Payroll Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a proven track record as a Payroll Operations Manager. Adept at overseeing payroll processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and optimizing payroll systems for efficiency. Demonstrates strong leadership, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex payroll functions in dynamic environments
Payroll Operations Manager
2020
-2022
Pinnacle Payroll Solutions (Long Beach)
- Increased payroll processing efficiency by 40% through implementation of automated systems and streamlined workflows
- Reduced payroll errors by 30% via rigorous audit processes and comprehensive employee training programs
- Successfully managed payroll for 5,000+ employees across multiple states, ensuring compliance with diverse regulatory requirements
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
Yale University (New Haven, CT)
Payroll software proficiency
Tax compliance knowledge
Excel advanced skills
Attention to detail
Time management skills
Communication and collaboration
CPP Certification
FPC Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for payroll manager resumes
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different payroll manager roles (e.g. ensure, audit, administer).
- Kick off your payroll manager resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't clutter your document by trying to add too many details. Focus on core payroll manager skills and achievements that are relevant to the role.
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your payroll manager experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When writing your payroll manager resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings that make it easy to identify each section of your resume. This will help any ATS software navigate your resume during the scanning process.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions for a payroll manager resume
After writing your payroll manager resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Before you write your cover letter, think about whether you need a formal, professional letter or if a brief, less formal email might be more suitable.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the payroll manager job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional payroll manager resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for payroll manager jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Junior Payroll Management Specialist
- Experienced Payroll Management Professional
- Experienced Senior Payroll Management Expert
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. Once you have some relevant work experience, and for senior positions, a reverse chronological resume format is typically best. This emphasizes your work experience, which will probably be the key thing employers want to know about.
Takeaways for a winning payroll manager resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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