[Ganondorf]

Today was my second day at my first job post-college. I work in payroll and billing, and I feel completely overwhelmed. I seriously almost feel like quitting (although I won’t). I never had a payroll class in college, so I literally know nothing on the job. I never even heard of the software they use. I feel like college was basically pointless because I am using nothing I learned there.

I know people say a new job is always difficult to get used to, but I guess I thought payroll would be a lot easier than something like Big 4 or Tax or Audit. Sorry, I just wanted to vent my frustration.

[Biff-1955-Tannen]

It took me a couple weeks to really be comfortable navigating around the engagement software, so I think you will be fine with the software.
I'd say be sure to ask your co-workers questions and learn from them. Most places don't mind answering questions as long as you're learning and not asking the same question over and over. They know you're fresh out of college, so I'm sure expectations are not too high, and a learning curve is expected.

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[MaLoTu]

I don't have any advice for you … every time I had to deal payroll stuff on FAR I felt it was hard! lol.

I just wanted to say congrats on the job! I know you have struggled to get into a position. Learn what you can and if it really isn't for you then you can move onto something having some experience on your resume.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Anonymous]

There is a big difference between college theory and real life. This is your first lesson. However , recall how you got through college. You applied yourself. Don't underestimate that qualify.
I have done payroll for years and I still find it hard. Many people don't like it and won't do it. Keep at it and it will make sense.

[acamp]

Part of it may have to do with the company you are working at; big accounting firms have structured on-boarding for new hires where you are trained on the job by someone who was in your position just a year or two previous (regular churn ensures new people are continuously being hired and trained).

I picture a payroll position as having less turnover, meaning that on-boarding and initial training may be less structured; further the training person may have many years of experience which may or may not be a good thing haha (they might over simplify when explaining truly complicated tasks, etc).

Take lots of notes, form lists of questions, etc. Its pretty regular to feel inept in a new job.

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[Missy]

I'm assuming you're in industry, at a medium sized company? That's an easy job once you're trained but the first few days can be very overwhelming particularly if the person training you is in a rush and not experienced at training. What software is it?

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Jdn9201]

Ganondorf, what you are feeling is very normal. It takes me back to my first ‘real' job – I started out in International Tax for a F500 company. I had only taken 1 or 2 tax classes in college, and none of it was international. I was lucky in that I was replacing someone who was moving to a different department who trained me for 3 weeks before moving. She was a big help, but I learned the best once I started doing everything and making my own mistakes. It's actually good that you feel this way, because it makes you humble. Several of my coworkers at my current job are fresh out of school, and some have this attitude like they know everything, which is so far from the truth! I've been working for almost 10 years now, and there are still matters that come up that I've had little experience with. You do have to balance asking questions vs. showing them you can figure things out on your own, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Congrats on the job and keep your head up – you'll start getting it before you know it.

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[Ganondorf]

@ mla11692

Yes, I am in industry at a medium size company that could possibly be bordering on large at this point. The company is national with several branches throughout the USA, but they are not international. I work at the corporate headquarters. There are slightly fewer than 1,000 employees at the headquarters plus branches combined. There are maybe 20-30 people in the accounting department where I work. The software we use is called StaffSuite.

[Skynet]

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[Matt Douglass]

I've been there and I can assure you it will get better. It is so stressful at first, because if something is wrong, it affects somebody's paycheck.

After working at a big firm doing Mutual Funds for 2 years out of college, I went to a non-profit doing…everything. We have about 125 employees, and I wanted to quit halfway through the first payroll cycle. Seriously. It was all new, and there were so many things that could (and sometimes did) go wrong.

The CFO and everybody else thought that since I had an accounting degree, I knew how to do payroll, with the software they had. I had to compose myself so many times those first few months and just tell myself that though I felt like it, I was not a complete idiot.

That was two years ago. It is so much better now. Payroll is one of the things that causes me the least amount of stress now. It will get better, just keep reminding yourself of that.

Licensed CPA in Missouri

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[monikernc]

every new job will make you feel this way to some extent or another. don't let it weigh on you. it is an opportunity to learn and grow. becoming a professional takes experience so take it one day, one challenge at a time. in a year come back and tell us how fast it went and how great it has been!!
good luck!!

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[Ganondorf]

I just finished my fourth week at this job. I don't feel very comfortable with it yet, but I feel a hundred times better about it now than I did when I first started. I no longer dread getting up in the morning and going to work.

[CPA2BEE]

Welcome to the world! My first job in public accounting, I had knots in my stomach going to work everyday for the whole first year. Public, private, whatever it is – you're probably going to feel outmatched with your first job. Just wait 6 months, then one year, then two years, so on….you'll see how much you've learned and laugh at these things that used to puzzle you. Then you'll be stressed about a new challenge you're being faced with. Its life!

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[Anonymous]

Oh gosh, when I started working I felt like I knew nothing about real-world accounting, never mind a specialty like payroll. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit less stressed.

[HoosierDaddy]

What payroll software are you using? Part of my responsibilities at a job in NYC was ADP payroll. Luckily my company sent me to ADP training at ADP HQ.

Four weeks have passed so you are probably more comfortable, but see if you can find a training course (online or in-person) for your payroll software. It will help you learn some nuances and be more comfortable. Good luck!

-Passed all four sections of CPA exam in 2010 using Becker.
-Former Seasonal Audit Senior with Big Four accounting firm.
-Plan to sit for Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

[Ganondorf]

@ HoosierDaddy

The software we use is called StaffSuite. I work at the corporate headquarters of a temp staffing agency. I have googled StaffSuite and found very little on it. It seems to be very specialized software just for the staffing industry. The company I work for does have online training courses though which I do in my downtime.

[Author]

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