Payroll Specialist Interview Questions and Answers

Payroll Specialists are in charge of handling payroll and making sure all employees are paid correctly and on schedule. The ideal candidate would have a solid working knowledge of accounting and payroll procedures as well as good numeracy skills. 

Here are some questions to make sure you rightly assess these skills in the potential candidates: 

• Can you explain your experience dealing with various types of payroll software?

There’s a chance you’ve worked with the system they use, but there are so many different systems out there that it’s more than probable you haven’t.

The most important thing is to emphasize that you have prior expertise with this type of software and are confident in your ability to master a new system.

• What are the most important mistakes that a payroll professional can make, and how can such mistakes be reduced or avoided?

This is a test to see how well you can solve problems and manage your time. For example, detail a sequence of improper tax withholding issues you noticed but didn’t know how to handle and brought to your manager’s attention right away. This indicates that you know when to seek help.

• What exactly is the FLSA?

The recruiter or hiring manager simply needs to know that you understand the FLSA and how to apply it. To be honest, any payroll specialist who doesn’t understand what this means isn’t doing their job very well.

• What is the primary function of IRS, w2 and w4 forms?

The interviewer may be aware of the distinction, but they don’t want a lengthy explanation. They’re doing the same thing as the question above: testing to see what you know.

• What kind of experience do you have in establishing a new payroll system?

Describe your knowledge of payroll systems, software, and apps. It’s even better if you’ve used the same technology brand as the prospective employer. And if you haven’t, you can simply mention other systems you’ve used while emphasizing that you’re a quick learner. Provide ways to help a payroll department become more efficient.

• Please describe your payroll background.

By narrating actual processes in the wage-payment procedure, try not to take this question too literally. Expand your horizons. Discuss how you dealt with accuracy and punctuality, for example, as these are the ultimate goals of paycheck processing. Also, mention any issues you were able to resolve satisfactorily for employees or their boss.

Other common questions:

What would your goals be if you were hired for this job, and how would you spend your time during your first week?

What is the significance of consistency when doing a payroll specialist job?

How do you ensure utmost precision when doing payroll tasks?

Explain the primary responsibilities of the payroll specialist.

In your field of work, technology and legislation are rapidly evolving. How do you intend to keep up with the latest laws and software changes?