Payroll Assistant — Lekki, Lagos

Location: Lekki, Lagos · Employment Type: Full-Time · Salary: ₦200,000 – ₦250,000 monthly

Why this role matters

The Payroll Assistant plays a vital role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. This position blends technical Excel skills with strong attention to statutory compliance and clear HR communication. If you enjoy numbers, confidentiality, and tidy payroll systems, this role helps you make an immediate impact on company operations.

Job Summary

We are hiring a Payroll Assistant to support the HR team in managing monthly payroll operations, implementing statutory deductions (Tax, Pension, HMO, NHF), and maintaining accurate employee records. You will also assist with job description creation and share HR content across communication channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and process monthly payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Build and maintain Excel formulas for statutory deductions (PAYE, Pension, NHF, HMO).
• Maintain and update employee payroll records and ensure statutory compliance.
• Generate payslips and assist with payroll reconciliations.
• Prepare and submit statutory reports to relevant agencies and administrators.
• Draft and update job descriptions for internal roles.
• Share HR content (job postings, updates) across platforms.
• Support HR documentation, data entry, and confidentiality practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• 1–3 years experience in payroll or HR operations.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills — formulas, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, IF statements.
• Good understanding of PAYE, Pension, NHF, and HMO contributions.
• High attention to detail, discretion, and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

How to Apply

Please send your application and CV using the address below. Use “Payroll Assistant — Lekki” as your email subject.

👉Apply Here

Sample CV Template

Sample Cover Letter

Sample Motivation / Statement of Purpose

Sample Application Email (Template)

Interview Preparation Guide — Payroll Assistant

Role-Specific Questions (8–12)

• Explain your payroll processing workflow from start to finish.
• Which Excel functions do you use for deductions and reconciliation?
• How do you calculate PAYE for varying tax bands?
• Describe a time you found and fixed a payroll error.
• How do you handle confidential payroll information?
• What experience do you have submitting reports to pension/HMO providers?
• How do you ensure accurate payslip generation?
• How do you manage payroll deadlines during high-volume periods?

General Interview Questions (5–7)

• Tell us about yourself and your payroll experience.
• Why do you want to work with our team?
• Describe a challenge you overcame at work.
• How do you prioritise tasks under pressure?
• Where do you see yourself in two years?

Suggested Answers — Talking Points

• Start with a concise summary of your payroll experience and Excel strengths.
• Mention specific formulas (VLOOKUP, IF, SUMIF, Pivot Tables) and how you applied them.
• Use STAR: Situation (error), Task (identify/fix), Action (steps taken), Result (reduction in errors/time saved).
• Emphasise confidentiality practices and secure handling of payroll data.
• Share measurable outcomes (e.g., reduced processing time, fewer reconciliation errors).

Do’s & Don’ts (6–8 each)

• Do: Bring a printed copy of your CV and examples of Excel work (screenshots, not raw files).
• Do: Be specific about Excel functions and payroll systems you’ve used.
• Do: Demonstrate understanding of PAYE, Pension, NHF, and HMO rules.
• Do: Show attention to confidentiality and accuracy.
• Do: Ask smart questions about payroll software and reporting timelines.
• Do: Follow up with a polite thank-you EMAIL within 24 hours.
• Don’t: Guess tax calculations — be honest about limits and how you verify numbers.
• Don’t: Share confidential examples without permission.
• Don’t: Arrive unprepared to discuss specific payroll scenarios.
• Don’t: Use vague phrases — provide measurable results.
• Don’t: Overemphasize unrelated tasks — keep focus on payroll strengths.

Preparation Checklist

• Research the company and HR/payroll practices.
• Prepare examples of payroll runs and reconciliations (screenshots or summaries).
• Review Nigerian payroll rules: PAYE, Pension rates, NHF, HMO obligations.
• Bring printed CV, list of references, and a notepad.
• Dress professionally and arrive early.
• Prepare 3–4 questions about payroll cycles, software, and reporting.

Extra Pro Tips

• Show a small Excel sample (image) that demonstrates formula logic — this proves capability quickly.
• Mention any payroll software you’ve used (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage) and how you used it for reporting.
• If asked about errors, highlight the controls you use to prevent them (checklists, peer review).
• Emphasise ethical handling of payroll data and GDPR-like best practices even if local laws differ.

WhatsApp Job Alerts |
Telegram Vault |
Proven Tools

Subscribe & Unlock Free Templates

Hey Reader! I affirm through this post that you get the job or opportunity you desire and apply for this month. — Jane Emmanuel