Payroll Specialist Interview Preparation Guide
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Payroll Specialist Frequently Asked Questions in various Payroll Specialist job interviews by interviewer. The set of questions are here to ensures that you offer a perfect answer posed to you. So get preparation for your new job interview

64 Payroll Specialist Questions and Answers:

1 :: Explain me how do you deal with employees who do not report time records to the payroll staff before a deadline?

I have trained the payroll staff to handle time-dependent problems on their own by performing strict follow up duties. However, there are times when employees just do not comply. When I have to intervene, I become direct with the employee and usually send out an email, very politely outlining repercussions of not reporting time records in a timely fashion.

2 :: Do you know what is the purpose of w2 and w4 IRS forms?

IRS forms are needed by the employers while processing and forwarding income tax information. W2 and W4 contain useful data regarding tax withholding and income tax eligibility ratio calculations from employees’ wages.

3 :: Explain me how you keep current on payroll techniques/rules?

The answer to this question will tell you how well your potential employee takes it upon himself to ensure that they stay current with payroll processes.

4 :: What type of behaviors work best for a payroll specialist?

This question helps you determine a candidate’s innate personality and helps you determine if that personality is a good fit for your company or accounting and/or HR department.

5 :: Explain me how you keep current on payroll techniques/strategies and rules?

The answer to this question will tell you how well the candidate takes it upon himself to ensure that he stays up to date on payroll issues.

6 :: Explain me what are the employer paid benefits?

Employer paid benefits include,

☛ Holidays
☛ vacations
☛ sick days
☛ insurance (health, dental, vision, life, disability)
☛ retirement plans
☛ profit-sharing plans

7 :: Tell us what all detail must be checked before vouching of wages?

Before vouching of wages, following details are considered.

☛ Checking Of Internal System
☛ Checking for proper Calculations
☛ Checking Of Wages Sheet
☛ Verifying computing Paying System
☛ Nature Of Payment
☛ Same Cash Paid And Drawn
☛ Checking Of Names
☛ Checking for authorized Signature
☛ Unpaid Wages
☛ Deductions

8 :: Tell me when to Outsource Payroll?

Payroll should be outsourced when,

☛ A small company where the owner does payroll.
☛ You don’t come across last minute changes that frequently
☛ You don’t want to invest in in-house system and infrastructure
☛ You have to pay at multiple locations

9 :: Tell me what kind of the behavior works best for the payroll worker?

This will ensure you the inherent qualities of the worker and will determine whether the personality is good or not for your company. According to his or her answer, a person will come to know the behavior of the candidate.

10 :: Explain me your work week?

This query will describe about your work schedule in detail. For the candidate it is must to not to answer the non work related activities while being in the company. This will create a bad impression. Before answering such a question, make sure you consider the position for which you are applying and also relate your last job position. The more you connect with the last job experience, the more successful you will be in answering the questions.