Payroll Manager in Saffron Walden, Essex

We are looking for an experienced and highly organised Part-Time Payroll Manager to join this established professional services organisation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and processing payrolls for a portfolio of clients across a variety of sectors, ensuring that all payrolls are completed accurately and within the required deadlines.

You will also manage and support a Payroll Assistant, providing training and guidance, reviewing work and helping to ensure the smooth running of the payroll function.

This is a varied role, which will include regular payroll processing alongside client support, compliance responsibilities and ad-hoc payroll-related duties including auto-enrolment pension submissions. The successful candidate will also work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider business and be willing to provide support to other departments when required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing and processing weekly, four-weekly, monthly and annual payrolls and monthly CIS submissions for a portfolio of clients.
• Managing, supporting and training a Payroll Assistant, including reviewing work and providing guidance where required.
• Ensuring payrolls are processed accurately, efficiently and within strict deadlines.
• Providing support to clients with their auto-enrolment and re-enrolment obligations.
• Supporting clients with statutory payments, including statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay and other relevant payments.
• Calculating and advising on holiday accrual and holiday pay.
• Processing and managing Attachment of Earnings Orders (AEOs) and other deductions.
• Responding to and resolving general payroll-related queries from clients and their employees.
• Maintaining accurate employee personal records and ensuring payroll information is kept up to date.
• Implementing and processing tax code changes and other HMRC notifications.
• Maintaining oversight of clients’ PAYE accounts, including identifying and resolving discrepancies where necessary.
• Assisting with payroll year-end procedures, including P60s and other annual payroll requirements.
• Keeping up to date with relevant payroll legislation, HMRC requirements and best practice.
• Dealing with ad-hoc payroll duties and client requests as they arise.
• Managing P11d and PSA processes.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm and providing support to other departments where required.
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality when handling sensitive payroll and employee information.

About You:

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working within a payroll environment, preferably within an accountancy practice, and will be comfortable managing payrolls for multiple clients.

You will be:

• Highly organised with excellent time-management skills.
• Comfortable working to multiple deadlines and able to prioritise competing demands.
• Accurate and highly detail-oriented, with a strong focus on quality.
• Confident dealing directly with clients and able to provide a professional and helpful service.
• Able to work independently while also being a strong team player.
• Flexible and willing to assist colleagues and other departments when required.
• Comfortable managing and supporting junior members of the team.
• Proactive, dependable and able to use initiative when resolving payroll issues.
• Discreet and professional when dealing with confidential information.
• Keen to keep your payroll knowledge and technical expertise up to date.

Experience & Qualifications:

Essential:

Minimum 5 years proven experience in payroll processing and administration.

Proven experience as a Payroll Manager

Good knowledge of PAYE, statutory payments, deductions and payroll legislation.

Experience managing multiple payrolls and working to strict deadlines.

Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

Desirable:

CIPP qualification, or an equivalent payroll qualification.

Experience working within an accountancy practice.

Experience with IRIS payroll.

Experience with Xero Payroll.

Experience supervising or supporting junior payroll staff.

What’s on offer:

Competitive salary, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.

Part-time working of 3-4 days per week.

A varied role with exposure to a diverse portfolio of clients.

A friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment.