4122 Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks

In short

• ONS unit group 4122, in minor group 412 (Administrative occupations: finance) and major group 4 (Administrative and secretarial occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks maintain and balance records of financial transactions, oversee the operation of payroll functions and calculate hours worked, wages due and other relevant contributions and deductions.

Typical entry routes

There are no minimum academic requirements, although entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications, and maths may be required. Training is typically provided on-the-job. NVQs/SVQs in relevant areas are available, and apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

Tasks

• records and checks accuracy of daily financial transactions
• prepares provisional balances and reconciles these with appropriate accounts
• supervises payroll team and develops payroll systems and procedures
• calculates and records hours worked, wages due, deductions and voluntary contributions
• processes holiday, sick and maternity pay and travel and subsistence expenses
• compiles schedules and distributes or arranges distribution of wages and salaries
• calculates costs and overheads and prepares analyses for management

Related job titles

• Accounts administrator
• Accounts assistant
• Accounts clerk
• Auditor
• Bookkeeper
• Payroll manager

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

4122 Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Accounting clerks and bookkeepers
• Payroll officers and wages clerks
• Bookkeepers, payroll managers and wage clerks not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

4122 Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Accounting clerks and bookkeepers
• Payroll officers and wages clerks
• Bookkeepers, payroll managers and wage clerks not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 412

• 4121 Credit controllers
• 4123 Bank and post office clerks
• 4124 Finance officers
• 4129 Financial administrative occupations n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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