Payroll Specialist | Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 43-3051.00

Skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningMathematicsWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringService Orientation

Knowledge

AdministrativeMathematicsEnglish LanguageEconomics and AccountingPersonnel and Human Resources

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionNear VisionOral ExpressionMathematical ReasoningInformation OrderingNumber FacilityProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning

Tasks

Verify attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments, and post information onto designated records.
Process and issue employee paychecks and statements of earnings and deductions.
Compute wages and deductions, and enter data into computers.

Technology

Accounting softwareHuman resources softwareTime accounting softwareData base user interface and query softwareCompliance software

Tools

10-key calculatorsComputer terminalsDesktop computersPersonal computers

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportAchievementWorking ConditionsIndependenceRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium43-3051.00	Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	title_inference	$55,290 median$78,830 top	-16.7%	-2,700

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Diploma)

Attendance records and pay adjustments — verify and post onto designated records with reduced oversight across regular bi-weekly or semi-monthly pay cycles.
Employee paychecks and earnings-and-deductions statements — process and issue accurately using payroll software with minimal errors across multiple employee classifications.
Gross wages, overtime, and statutory deductions — compute and enter into the payroll system independently, applying current tax tables and benefit rate schedules.
New hire and termination paperwork — complete and enter into HR and ERP software, ensuring all required fields and compliance documents are captured on schedule.
Period-end payroll reports — prepare and balance using spreadsheet software, reconciling totals to prior-period records with routine supervisor sign-off.
Payroll discrepancies identified in time sheets and wage computations — investigate causes and apply standard corrective adjustments within established authorization limits.
Employee status changes such as exemptions, promotions, and resignations — record promptly in the payroll system to maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel records.
Payroll processing timelines and checklists — monitor progress across each pay period, proactively communicating delays or data gaps to supervisors.
Payroll inquiries from employees — respond clearly and professionally, explaining deductions, adjustments, and payment schedules using accessible language.
Time accounting and compliance software — use routinely to track labor hours, flag potential regulatory issues, and generate standard audit-ready reports.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.