What does a payroll manager do?

A payroll manager manages and oversees the process of employee payments within a company. They ensure that employees are paid correctly and on time, contributing to employee satisfaction and organisational compliance.

The primary responsibility of payroll managers is to ensure accurate and timely processing of employee salaries, benefits and deductions while complying with relevant laws and regulations. These professionals handle various aspects of the payroll management system, including salary calculations, tax deductions, benefits administration and statutory compliance. They also maintain employee records, generate payroll reports and ensure financial confidentiality.


Payroll managers are instrumental in maintaining strong relationships with employees, finance departments and external stakeholders such as tax authorities and regulatory bodies. They possess in-depth knowledge of payroll systems, accounting principles, Indian labour laws and taxation requirements.

In India, payroll managers are also called payroll specialists, payroll supervisors and accounting managers. As they progress, payroll managers may take on senior roles like payroll director. 

Job Description: Template

We seek an experienced, detail-oriented payroll manager to join our team at [Company X].

As a payroll manager, you will oversee all aspects of payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely payments of employees at our organisation. You will also collaborate with various departments to gather and validate payroll information, resolve payroll discrepancies and provide exceptional service to our employees.

The ideal candidate possesses strong knowledge of payroll regulations, exceptional organisational skills and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

If you’ are a dedicated professional, passionate about finance management, we invite you to apply. We value our employees and offer competitive benefits, attractive pay packages, a positive work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Objectives of this role

  • Overseeing end-to-end payroll processing, including salary calculations, deductions and benefits administration, such as provident fund, insurance and healthcare plans.
  • Preparing payroll reports, including income tax returns and provident fund filling.
  • Conducting regular payroll audits and ensuring compliance with Indian labour laws, tax regulations and statutory requirements.
  • Maintaining accurate employee records, including attendance, leaves and personal information.
  • Collaborating with the human resources and finance departments to seamlessly integrate payroll and employee data.
  • Processing new hires, terminations, promotions and other employee status changes in the payroll system, to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.   

Your tasks

  • Manage end-to-end payroll processing, including collecting, calculating and inputting payroll data for all employees.
  • Ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies while processing payroll.
  • Administer and maintain payroll systems, ensure data integrity and implement system upgrades and enhancements.
  • Collaborate with HR, finance and other departments to gather and validate payroll information, such as new hires, terminations, promotions and salary changes.
  • Monitor and resolve payroll discrepancies, investigating and resolving issues promptly and accurately.
  • Generate payroll reports, including tax filings, benefits deductions and other required reports, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Address employee inquiries and concerns related to payroll, providing exceptional customer service and support.
  • Maintain confidentiality and data security standards for all payroll-related information.
  • Stay updated on payroll regulations, Indian tax laws and industry trends, implementing necessary changes to ensure compliance and best practices.

Required skills and qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, human resources or a related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in payroll management or a similar accounting role.
  • In-depth knowledge of payroll processes, labour laws, taxation and statutory compliance in India.
  • Experience in handling payroll audits, inspections and compliance assessments.
  • Proficiency in payroll software and systems, such as SAP and/or ADP, with experience implementing and managing payroll systems.
  • Excellent understanding of financial principles and the ability to reconcile payroll with financial records.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing complex payroll calculation data.
  • Good organisational and time management skills to meet strict payroll deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels of the organisation.
  • High level of integrity and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Preferred skills and qualifications

  • Relevant professional certification in payroll management, such as Certified Payroll Professional (CPP).
  • Knowledge of multi-state payroll processing and Indian tax regulations, including TDS, GST and income tax provisions.
  • Familiarity with payroll-related aspects of Indian labour laws, such as the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Act, the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act and the Professional Tax Act.
  • Familiarity with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and time and attendance systems.
  • Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices related to payroll.
  • Ability to adapt to changing payroll regulations and implement necessary updates.