Jobs › Abbott

Payroll Associate

Abbott · Abbott Park, IL · $22.50–$45.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a payroll error you caught or made. What happened and what did you change?

What they are checking: Honesty about mistakes and whether they fix the process, not just the single paycheck.

Payroll data is sensitive. How do you protect it in your daily work?

What they are checking: Whether confidentiality is a habit, including email, printing and who they share with.

How do you work with HR, benefits and finance when their data feeds into payroll?

What they are checking: Whether they build good working relationships with the teams whose inputs decide payroll accuracy.

How do you stay organized during a week with several deadlines landing at once?

What they are checking: Whether they have a system for deadlines, since payroll dates do not move.

What would you do

An employee says their paycheck is short and they're upset. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm, investigate fast and explain clearly, since pay issues hit people hard.

How do you handle retro pay, off-cycle checks or a late change from HR right before a deadline?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle exceptions without breaking controls or missing the cutoff.

About the work

Walk me through the steps you take to process a payroll cycle, from collecting inputs to final approval.

What they are checking: Whether they follow a controlled, repeatable process with checks before money goes out.

How do you reconcile payroll before and after it runs? What reports do you rely on?

What they are checking: Whether they catch errors before employees do, which is what protects trust in payroll.

Which payroll systems have you used, and how comfortable are you with Excel for checking large data sets?

What they are checking: Practical tool skills needed to work a large company's payroll accurately.

What do you know about garnishments, and why do they need special care?

What they are checking: Awareness of legal requirements where mistakes can create liability for the company.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: • Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. • Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. • An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution • Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. • A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. • A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. The Opportunity This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location within the CHR Corporate Human Resources division. The Payroll Associate supports the accurate and timely processing of payroll for employees across multiple U.S. locations. This role is responsible for maintaining payroll records, auditing payroll data, resolving employee inquiries, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Payroll Associate works closely with Human Resources, Finance, and business leaders to deliver exceptional payroll service while maintaining confidentiality and data integrity. What You'll Work On: • Process payroll transactions accurately and in accordance with established payroll schedules. • Review and validate employee time and attendance data, pay changes, deductions, and tax withholdings. • Audit payroll reports to identify and resolve discrepancies before payroll processing. • Assist with employee onboarding and offboarding activities related to payroll. • Maintain employee payroll records in HRIS and payroll systems. • Respond to employee inquiries regarding pay, taxes, benefits deductions, direct deposit, and payroll policies. • Support garnishment administration, wage attachments, and other payroll deductions. • Assist with payroll reconciliations and month-end reporting activities. • Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local payroll regulations. • Support internal and external audits by gathering and validating payroll documentation. • Collaborate with HR, Compensation, Benefits, and Finance teams to resolve payroll-related issues. • Participate in payroll process improvement initiatives and system testing activities. Core Competencies • Accuracy and attention to detail • Customer focus • Team collaboration • Compliance mindset • Continuous improvement • Accountability • Results orientation Required Qualifications: • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred. • 1–3 years of payroll, accounting, finance, or HR administration experience. • Experience using payroll and HR systems such as Workday, ADP, SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms. • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, and data analysis. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. • Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. • Strong customer service and communication skills. • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience supporting large, multi-state payroll operations. • Knowledge of payroll tax regulations and wage-and-hour laws. • Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) certification or willingness to obtain certification. • Experience in a healthcare, manufacturing, or corporate shared-services environment. Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity. Connect with us at www.abbott.com , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter The base pay for this position is $22.50 – $45.00/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Accounts Payable & Receivables, Credit & Collection, & Payroll DIVISION: CHR Corporate Human Resources LOCATION: United States > Abbott Park : AP06B ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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