Finding the Best Payroll Professionals

Finding the Best Payroll ProfessionalsFinding the Best Payroll ProfessionalsIts no secret that staffing can be a struggle for financial managers, whether it becomes necessary as a business grows or after a job vacancy. As you examine your companys payroll process, from tax payments to paycheck withholdings, along with todays hiring challenges, you may realize you need help building a team of payroll professionals.From writing job descriptions to filtering applicants to interviewing and hiring, obtaining skilled workers is not for the faint of heart. But you dont have to do it alone. One of the best recruiting strategies is to work with a specialized staffing agency.Here are seven best practices to follow - and that agencies can assist with - when bringing on operational support staff, including payroll professionals.1. Cast a wide net for payroll professionalsIts no longer enough to just upload the listing to a job board and wait for applications to roll in. In a job market rife wi th opportunities for candidates, you should take a multipronged approach, including advertising the position on social media accounts and encouraging followers to share the post. If youre working with a staffing agency, youll gain access to a network of payroll job seekers. Look for candidates in your area or in these cities Find payroll candidates in MilwaukeeFind payroll candidates in Seattle Find payroll candidates in Los AngelesFind payroll candidates in Atlanta Find payroll candidates in Indianapolis2. Use marketing to sell your companyTo stand out in a sea of postings, front-load your payroll job description with the many pluses of working for your organization. Include enticing nuggets like flexible scheduling, regular social events, wellness perks, opportunities for advancement, all part of your corporate culture. As todays professionals - especially millennials - seek meaningful work that makes a difference, play up your companys community involvement.3. Accelerate the hi ring processIt can be daunting when youre already balancing this with your day-to-day work, but speeding up your hiring process helps ensure you have your pick among the top candidates available in your area. Update your job posting to weed out unqualified applicants. Streamline interviews by having candidates meet only with essential personnel. Cut out a round of interviews, where possible. Recruiters can also shoulder a lot of the burden for you. While they cant do everything, they can get moving right away and seriously reduce your legwork.4. Outsource the screeningAs any manager knows, a substantial number of job applications simply dont make the cut. Then there are those candidates who look great on paper, but you soon discover theyve embellished their skills and credentials. You can save time and all these headaches by using a specialized recruiter who handles much of the initial evaluation so you can meet with a handful of fully vetted candidates and pick the best fit.5. Prio ritize people skillsAside from seeking out job candidates who understand payroll software and the latest compliance requirements, you should pay particular attention to their soft skills - the ability to soothe ruffled feathers and quickly resolve payroll issues. While communication and interpersonal skills can be taught, theyre often more difficult to develop than technical know-how. When meeting with potential hires, be sure to ask how theyve dealt with angry customers or recovered from a mistake. Ask insightful situational and behavioral interview questions specific to payroll functions.6. Be flexible with your hiring needsHave you considered a temp-to-hire strategy for your company? There are alternatives to hiring full-time employees, and staffing agencies are well-versed in assessing your needs and providing a solution thats right for you. If you want to focus on getting the work done and youre not sure you need someone full time, you might find a temporary worker is your bes t bet.7. Keep them happy on the jobAfter landing someone great, whether temporary or full time, dont simply rest on your laurels. Focus on keeping them engaged and acknowledging their work. Robert Halfs study on workplace happiness finds that among the accounting professionals surveyed, the top driver of professional contentment was feeling appreciated.As many payroll specialists realize all too well, this work is largely unrecognized. Because your staff likely wont receive many kudos from fellow employees, its up to management to boost morale. Even simple verbal praise, in private or in public, can go a long way in making a worker feel happy on the job - especially one you recently recruited to join the team.Looking for temporary help in payroll to move your business forward? We can help.1.855.432.0924