A payroll specialist has many responsibilities, several of which are dependent on their experience level and status in their careers. Payroll functions at a company may include: Preparing and processing payroll, including paychecks and deposits Calculating and verifying numbers such as wages, commissions, payroll output, tax deductions, and benefits Collecting timesheets and information necessary for payroll Balancing accounts and reconciling payroll figures Creating payroll reports for purposes such as auditing and accounting Answering questions about employee payroll Maintaining databases of salary information and pay rate scales The job description of a payroll specialist varies with the size of the company, type of products or services they deliver, and the particular way a business is run. A company that pays a set salary amount for full-time work — with that range typically based on job description, job title, or years of experience — will be different from one that uses strictly commissions as compensation.