1. Tell me a brief overview of your professional career as a Payroll Assistant?
After graduating from University of California with a BBA Degree, my first full time job was at Marshall & Swift Boeckh as a Book-keeping Executive. I worked there for a year and then I was offered a better opportunity as a Payroll Assistant at Enova Financial, where I have been working for the past two years. Other than this, I have also done three internships during my degree of which one was focused on ‘compensation and benefits' function processes of Barclay's Bank and the other two were related to payroll management at Delaware North Companies and University of California.
2. Tell us how do you feel about working nights and weekends?
If the need be, I am perfectly fine with working on odd timings. There have been multiple situations at work where I worked overtime and on weekends when the work load was greater than usual. What kept me putting my best of abilities was the appreciation that I received for my extra efforts at work.
3. Tell me why are you interested in this position?
To work for a thriving and growing company, I am always learning new task, opportunity of advancment and company profile and word of mouth has been very impressive.
4. What experience do you have implementing a new payroll system?
Been involved with the upgrading of the payroll system. Have not changed from a payroll system in the last 20 years.
5. Tell us do you plan to open up your own accounting or payroll firm?
This interview question is simple to answer. I would obviously begin by picking out a work related problem I have faced and that I knew turned out to be a problem that I was able to solve.
6. Explain me the use of forms W2, W4, and 941?
W2 is a summary record given to employee showing their earnings taxes paid and any other deductions, W4 is what the employee fills out letting the payroll department know how many depending they are claiming, 941 is the report filled out each quarter and year end showing everything paid and deducted through payroll.
7. Please explain a difficult situation at work and how you diffused it?
One difficult situation that happen was managing conflict how that was dealth with is that the situation was presented before all the individuals and a resolution was brought in to play the handle the matter at hand.
8. Tell me why do you want to work as a payroll clerk?
This question is difficult. You can hardly find something motivating about this job… However, you should not say an employer that you just want to have any sort of administrative/accounting job, and that's why you apply for this one. As a good applicant, you can mention that you like math, that you are very detail oriented and prefer routine jobs. That's the reason why payroll clerk is a good choice for you.
9. Tell us have you any experience with pay card payments? Describe it?
(It's a simple method of offering employees a debit card they can use to buy things with, or cash it with the use of ATM. It's like sending money to bank account; just you send it to the card for this purpose.)
10. Tell us what are the 3 skills you think a payroll clerk must have?
Well, I believe strong analytical skills, good command on mathematics and attention to detail are must haves for any person in the role of a payroll officer.
11. Tell me which computerized payroll systems are you familiar with?
I am familiar with UltiPro, BambooHR, KRONOS and Namely. I am a quick learner with a knack for software operations and usually learn to operate unfamiliar software in very limited time and supervision.
Employees who do not complete their required payroll forms make the payroll administrator's job more challenging. Asking this question allows the applicant to explain how she would handle this to ensure the worker still gets paid.
I am completely trained at all of these tasks because of my three years of experience and relative to that I will rate myself ten on ten. I can assure you that it is my expertise that I am rating myself full, not over confidence.
Create a batch and set it to run on a particular pay date. Week 1 etc..
Input everybody else and email the payroll timekeeper for the reports, meanwhile I make aware to the supervisor of this employees of the situation so they can get help to finish the reports.
16. Tell us what are the most important attributes a person should have for this position?
The number one attribute for any position is confidentiality. Someone working with money should also be honest and trustworthy.
17. Tell us what courses did you like the best in your preparation in accounting and payroll?
I really enjoyed the Payroll Compliance Course. I found it interesting to learn about all the provinces and how each province deals with taxes.
Payroll can be defined as a list with names of all employees of a company along with their payable wage amounts. Payroll processing includes filling up of W-4 forms by all employees, creating a payroll records system, calculating applicable deductions, determining the suitable payment methods and making deposits.
19. Explain me typical IRS Forms Such as Form W-2 and W-4?
Payroll administrators process payroll tax information. IRS forms W-2 and W-4 provide employers with the information needed to withhold income taxes from employees' wages. Familiarity with these forms ensure the candidate understands how to properly prepare these documents.
20. Tell me what do you think are the major responsibilities of a Payroll Assistant?
The major duties of this professional comprises:
• Accurately completing payroll processing tasks, reconciliations and related reports on time
• Responding to inquiries related to payroll processes and procedures in an effective manner
• Resolving payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information accurately
• Maintaining payroll operations by following policies and procedures and reporting changes made or required
• Maintaining employees' confidence and keeping payroll operations and information confidential
• Properly maintaining all payroll records and reports including annual and quarterly filings
• Resolving payroll issues and efficiently communicating with all parties involved
21. Tell me what have you done to improve your verbal communication skills?
I have taken communication courses and have a very long history of customer service skills.
22. What salary are you seeking as Payroll Assistant?
I would consider a salary of 30,000 pounds.
23. Explain about the payroll forecasting you have been responsible for?
I was responsible for forecast according to the number of employees and the amount of hours how much we will need to cover for payroll.
24. Tell me a brief overview of what a payroll clerk work involves?
Payroll managers compile payroll data, verify time and attendance and process periodic transfers of pays to different accounts.
25. Tell me how Would You Handle an Upset Employee Whose Pay Is Inaccurate?
Occasionally mistakes in payroll happen. This question allows the applicant to describe how he would resolve a situation that involves a disgruntled employee who needs assistance.
