Interview with Susana, payroll expert

Susana works together with her partner in an employment services firm that she set up about a decade ago. In addition to providing this type of assistance, she teaches Payroll Settlement courses to train people who need to learn how to do it. Below, she tells us more about this career.

—What does the task of Processing Payroll consist of?

—Mainly knowing how to use a Payroll program correctly and having all the necessary knowledge about current laws and the collective bargaining agreements to apply according to the activity to be processed. Then, the company gives the Payroll Processors the information on days worked, absences, vacations, illness, late arrivals, etc., so that we process the information with the system. Once this is done, with the pay slips already finalized, it is necessary to prepare all the documentation for the payroll book and legal forms. And that's it, the company takes care of paying wages, as does another department within it if we are inside it.

—Is it difficult?

—No, not at all, but it requires time and dedication. I have seen courses in which students are only taught how to use the software used for processing, but they have no notion of agreements, laws or accords. Without this information, it is impossible to do payroll processing well. That is why the course I teach at the institute lasts three four-month terms instead of one, like many others. You have to look carefully at the type of course you choose, the program and who the teacher is before taking it, since otherwise it can end up being useless.

—Where can a Payroll Processor work?

—Anywhere where there is compensation involved. Companies pay wages and need someone to process them. The state does too. Other companies hire external firms or processors, where the possibility of working independently comes into play. Job opportunities are very broad, so it is important to have good training.

—Is it necessary to have prior knowledge to take a Payroll Processing course?

—Only knowing how to use a computer. Everything else is learned during the course. Although nowadays many accountants come to learn more about this process, having seen only the theory at university, the truth is that many young people freshly graduated from school also come without any type of prior knowledge on the subject. The important thing is to be willing to learn and to be clear about the reason why you choose it.