Education Requirements
This position typically requires a bachelor's degree in accounting. Most major universities offer such a degree program. Additionally, a Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) or Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) may be desired by an employer. At entry-level positions, such as a payroll assistant or payroll practitioner, experience within the field can suffice in place of a degree. In these positions, an associate degree may also be adequate for employment.
Career Info
This position can be held within any entity that is paying employees and has some form of payroll department. Thus, payroll accountants can expect to find work in the private and public sectors, as well as in nonprofits, educational institutions and businesses of varying sizes.
Salary Information
In May 2013, the median salary for all accountants and auditors was $65,080, according the BLS (www.bls.gov). Salary is highly dependent on the accountant's position, title and responsibilities. According to PayScale.com, the salary range for a payroll accountant was between $34,694 and $65,797 in September 2014.
Job Outlook
The BLS predicted average job growth for accountants and auditors in general between 2012-2022, with an expected 13% increase in job opportunities. Over 166,000 job openings were expected to arise in the accounting field over that decade.