Payroll Manager
Location: Ingatestone, Essex / Office Based
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week) / Part-time possible for the right applicant
Reports To: Directors
Department: Payroll
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Payroll Manager to lead and develop our established client payroll team at our Essex based accountancy practice. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of a high-quality payroll service to a diverse client portfolio, whilst providing technical expertise, team leadership and ensuring compliance with all relevant payroll legislation.
The department currently processes several hundred payrolls of varying sizes and complexities, including large payroll engagements and weekly, monthly and annual payrolls. The role requires both strong technical and legislative payroll knowledge and the ability to support, develop and manage a team of 4 payroll professionals.
Key Responsibilities
Payroll Operations
- Manage the end-to-end processing of multiple client payrolls.
- Oversee weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly and monthly payrolls.
- Ensure payrolls are processed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
- Manage payroll reconciliations and review procedures.
- Oversee new starters, leavers, salary changes, statutory payments, deductions and benefits.
- Ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments and pension legislation.
- Manage CIS return submissions where required.
- Oversee workplace pension administration, including auto-enrolment duties.
Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate and support the payroll team.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members.
- Conduct regular workload reviews and resource planning.
- Assist with training and development of payroll staff.
- Promote continuous improvement and efficiency within payroll processes.
- Group payroll oversight.
- Ability to process several hundred payrolls.
Compliance & Technical Expertise
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HMRC legislation and payroll best practice.
- Lead the department through legislative changes and process updates.
- Support the implementation of changes relating to payroll, reporting of employee benefits and other future legislative developments.
- Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.
Client Service
- Act as the primary point of escalation for complex payroll queries.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Provide support and guidance on payroll-related matters.
- Liaise with HMRC, pension providers and other third parties where necessary.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 7 years' payroll experience, ideally within a senior payroll or payroll management role.
- Proven experience managing or supervising a payroll team.
- Strong knowledge of:
- PAYE
- National Insurance
- Statutory payments
- Workplace pensions and auto-enrolment
- CIS
- HMRC payroll compliance requirements
- Experience managing multiple payrolls and complex payroll environments.
- Excellent communication and client relationship skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Software Experience
Experience with the following systems would be highly desirable:
- Sage Payroll (essential)
- Xero Payroll
- BrightHR / BrightPay products
- Pension provider portals (NEST, Smart Pension, Aviva, Royal London, Creative and similar schemes)
- Modulr payment software or similar payroll payment platforms
Desirable Experience
The following would be a significant advantage:
- Previous experience working within an accountancy practice environment.
- Experience managing payroll services for multiple external clients.
- Experience with large payrolls (500+ employees).
- Experience processing or managing payroll benefits reporting.
- Experience implementing payroll software or process improvements.
- Knowledge of integrating payroll systems with accounting and HR platforms.
- Experience supporting clients with broader employment-related and payroll compliance queries.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate will be a confident payroll professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent people management skills. They will be capable of leading a busy payroll team, supporting clients, driving continuous improvement and helping the practice prepare for future payroll and legislative developments.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Benefits: To be discussed at interview
This role offers an excellent opportunity to join a growing and forward-thinking practice and play a key role in the future development of our payroll service.
Pay: From £28,101.24 per year
Work Location: In person
