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Sarah Parker - Case study

Name: Sarah Parker
Age: 20
Department: Payroll Bureau Services
Office: Lancashire


I work as a Payroll Assistant in Cassons Payroll Bureau Services department and have been a part of the team since November 2002.

The running of a payroll

My week begins by looking at the control sheet for that particular week. This shows which payrolls have to be run on which days in the week. As a Payroll Bureau we have daily deadlines so it is important that we have tight controls to adhere to. Some of the payrolls are the same each week so they can be processed without changes unless the client tells us otherwise, but others change from week to week so they send us the details usually by fax, telephone or email. When the wages details have been received the payroll can be processed. The department deals with all sizes of payrolls, from sole traders to limited companies. The following shows an example of the size of businesses we deal with: The time it takes to run a small payroll compared to a large payroll differs considerably. A small payroll can take approximately ten minutes to run whereas a large payroll can take three hours or more. Employees’ wages can be simple or complicated and can include any of the following, which are the most common “attachments” to a wage: When the payroll has been run the reports can be printed. Usually I will need to print two of everything, one copy for us and one copy for the client but some clients’ wages are the same each week or month so they don’t want any reports sending to them. These reports are not only for our purposes but can be required for the completion of accounts. They include: The reports show a breakdown of the wages in more detail and have to be printed before we take a back up of the payroll. A back up is taken in case we need to re-run the payroll due to an amendment. After a back up has been taken, I print further reports: Most of our clients organise the payment of their employees’ themselves but some require us to carry that out for them using a BACS (Bankers Automated Clearing Service) system. This is a system used by the bank so it can send the wages tothe employees' bank accounts automatically.

Highs

There are always a variety of different jobs to do so it never seems boring. You are constantly learning, whether it is a client ringing up for advice that you have to research, or new legislation which you have to read up on. A lot of time is spent in contact with the clients on the telephone, which creates a good and trusting relationship with them as well as boosting my own confidence.

Lows

It can get very busy at times, especially when it is nearing the end of a tax year and we have year end procedures to carry out for the clients. Clients’ wages details are sometimes sent to us late which can have the knock on effect of delaying other payrolls.

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