Payroll officer

Payroll officers manage employee payroll information and arrange payment of salaries and wages.

Also known as

Payroll adviser, payroll administrator, payroll coordinator, payroll assistant, payroll clerk

Work environment

  • Usually work regular business hours but may work extra hours
  • Usually work in offices
  • Need to be methodical, accurate and responsible

Salary information

MOST COMMON
UPPER
LOWER
$52K-$107K 52000

Typical tasks

  • Make sure employees get paid correctly
  • Check staff work hours and leave
  • Calculate pay and deductions
  • Prepare and send payslips
  • Check and share payroll reports
  • Enter information into computer systems
  • Keep staff records up to date
  • Organise documents and records
  • Follow workplace laws and rules
  • Help improve payroll systems

Outlook

Payroll processing remains essential for organisations of all sizes. Cloud systems, automation and employee self-service tools are reducing some repetitive work, but accurate records and careful checking remain important. In New Zealand, payroll must keep pace with tax, leave and employment requirements. The role is evolving towards more system knowledge, data checking and support for employees with pay questions.

What employers and industry want in graduates

  • Accuracy with numbers, records and calculations
  • Understanding of payroll, tax and leave requirements
  • Confidence using payroll software and spreadsheets
  • Good organisation and ability to meet regular deadlines
  • Clear, helpful communication with employees
  • Respect for privacy and confidential information

AUT programmes

The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.

Back to search

Content is reviewed by our experts, but information can change over time. Some content is created with AI support.

This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.